Novel technique for preoperative localization of colorectal tumors for laparoscopic resection

Minimally invasive surgery for resection of colon tumors is being utilized with increasing frequency making accurate preoperative tumor localization essential to proper surgical planning and patient positioning. Traditional endoscopic localization techniques such as lesion distancing from the anal verge are adequate in the majority of patients. Patients with a significantly tortuous and redundant colon, however, are at increased risk for ambiguous and incorrect lesion localization. The use of endoscopic submucosal marking by injection to tattoo the site of interest may increase the accuracy of tumor localization, but its efficacy can be technique dependent. We present a novel technique for endoscopic tumor localization using endoscopic clip placement, followed by immediate abdominal radiograph, to accurately locate a colonic lesion in preparation for laparoscopic colonic resection.