[Standard procedure for colon cancer resection:complete mesocolic excision]

The concept of complete mesocolic excision (CME) is proposed by scholars to standardize the surgery for colon cancer. Surgical separation is performed by sharp dissection of the visceral fascia layer from the parietal fascia resulting in complete mobilization of the entire mesocolon covered by an intact visceral fascial layer on both sides ensuring safe exposure and ligation of the supplying arteries at their origin. The principal aim of CME is to improve the surgical quality by ensuring maximal harvest of the regional lymph nodes through the standardized surgical technique. The advantages of CME includes two important oncological advantages: probability of the potentially tumor spread caused by the the torn lymphovascular vessels is reduced by achieving an adequate tumor package; central vascular ligation ensures maximal lymph node harvest. CME benefits the survival of patients with stage III tumor. More studies will be needed to assess the effects of CME on the other stages. Whether the laparoscopic surgery can achieve CME is still unknown now.