Consensus statements on complete mesocolic excision for right-sided colon cancer-technical steps and training...

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Complete Mesocolic Excision (CME) is a complex surgical procedure for colon cancer with variable practice.
• Standardization of CME technique and training is needed to minimize risks and facilitate safe adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop expert consensus on optimal Complete Mesocolic Excision (CME) techniques for right-sided and transverse colon cancer.
• To guide the safe implementation and training pathways for CME.

Main Methods:

• A modified Delphi process involving 55 international experts in CME and surgical education.
• Three rounds of voting on 25 statements, with 70% agreement defining consensus.

Main Results:

• Twenty-three recommendations for CME technique and training were agreed upon.
• CME is recommended as the standard of care for locally advanced colon cancer.
• Key elements include central vascular ligation, SMV exposure, intact mesocolon excision, and specific anatomical landmarks.

Conclusions:

• Expert consensus achieved on standardizing CME technique and training.
• This framework aims to guide current practice and establish quality control for future research.