Intraoperative ultrasound in colorectal surgery

To assess the accuracy of intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) as a localizing technique for colorectal resections, and its impact on surgical management.

Twenty-five patients (15 men and 10 women; mean age, 74.4 years) with early cancers (p T1), or polyps, not amenable to endoscopic removal were selected. IOUS was used as a sole method of intraoperative localization. Its performance was evaluated through review of preoperative colonoscopy reports, intraoperative findings, histopathology reports, and clinical follow-up.

The lesions were situated in the cecum (n = 5), ascending colon (n = 3), transverse colon (n = 4), descending colon (n = 7), and rectum (n = 6). IOUS technique allowed correct localization in 24 of 25 patients, visualization of the bowel wall, and its penetration by malignant tumors. In rectal lesions, IOUS showed clearly the tumor and its margin, which facilitated performance sphincter-sparing procedure.

In patients with small polyps and early cancers of colon and rectum, IOUS may be effectively used as a sole method of intraoperative localization and provide additional information that may alter decision making with regard to surgical technique.