Impact of the timing of additional surgery after noncurative endoscopic resection of early colorectal cancer on perioperative and oncological outcomes: a single-center retrospective cohort study.

PURPOSE: For early colorectal cancer (CRC) following noncurative endoscopic resection, additional curative surgery is the standard of care, but the optimal timing remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of the interval between procedures on surgical complexity, complications, and oncological outcomes.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 112 patients with early CRC who underwent additional laparoscopic surgery after noncurative endoscopic resection between August 2019 and August 2024. Clinical and pathological data were collected, with primary endpoints focused on surgical difficulty (operative duration and intraoperative blood loss). Statistical analyses were performed using multivariate analysis of variance, logistic regression, and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.

RESULTS

The interval between procedures was not significantly associated with surgical difficulty or lymph node metastasis (P>0.05). Multivariate analysis did not identify an optimal timing point for surgery. However, a longer waiting time was independently associated with an increased risk of residual tumor (odds ratio, 1.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-1.16; P=0.004). Furthermore, lymphovascular invasion and elevated preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen levels were identified as independent predictors of lymph node metastasis. A higher preoperative lymphocyte ratio was associated with an increased risk of postoperative intra-abdominal infection (r=0.243, P=0.010).

CONCLUSION

In the era of laparoscopic surgery, the timing of additional surgery does not appear to be the primary determinant of surgical difficulty in CRC. Clinical decision-making should prioritize high-risk pathological features, such as lymphovascular invasion, rather than rigid adherence to a predetermined waiting period. Strategically delaying surgery may facilitate the selection of patients without residual disease, thereby helping to avoid unnecessary procedures.