Optimizing lymph node harvest in laparoscopic colorectal cancer: predictors and station-specific lymph node submission solutions.

PURPOSE: Adequate lymph node yield is crucial for accurate staging in colorectal cancer. This study aims to analyze clinical factors associated with lymph node retrieval in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery and to explore strategies that may enhance yield.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective review of clinical, pathological, and surgical data from patients who underwent laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection between July 2019 and July 2024 at our institution. Patients were stratified by lymph node yield into 2 groups: <12 nodes (reduced yield) and ≥12 nodes (control). Univariate analyses were used to identify factors potentially affecting lymph node yield, and multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine independent risk factors for reduced yield.

RESULTS

A total of 639 patients (305 with rectal cancer and 334 with colon cancer) were included. Univariate analysis identified age (P=0.039), sex (P=0.029), neoadjuvant therapy (P<0.001), tumor location (P<0.001), invasion depth (P<0.001), lymphovascular invasion (P=0.028), and station-specific lymph node submission (P<0.001) as influential factors. Multivariate analysis revealed that preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, tumor location (non-right colon), shallow invasion depth (T1-T2), and lack of station-specific submission independently contributed to reduced lymph node yield (all P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

This study highlights preoperative neoadjuvant therapy, tumor location, and invasion depth (T stage) as independent factors associated with reduced lymph node yield in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery. However, station-specific lymph node submission significantly increases yield and may help address inadequate retrieval. These findings suggest both predictive and interventional strategies to optimize lymph node harvest after surgery.