Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction for Right-Sided Colon Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Propensity Score-Matched Studies

Minimally invasive surgery is the standard approach for right-sided colon cancer, but conventional laparoscopic specimen extraction (CVT) requires additional abdominal incisions, increasing the risk of postoperative complications and delayed recovery. Natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) minimizes abdominal incisions, potentially improving patient outcomes. This meta-analysis compares NOSE and CVT in terms of postoperative complications, operative characteristics, and long-term outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Central Register of Clinical Trials, and Web of Science for studies available up to December 2024. A random-effects model was applied to compute ORs and mean differences (MDs) with 95% CIs. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the I² statistic. All statistical analyses were performed using R software (version 4.4.1, R Foundation for Statistical Computing). Seven propensity score-matched studies with 566 patients were included, with 240 (42.4%) undergoing NOSE and 326 (57.6%) undergoing CVT. NOSE was associated with significantly reduced postoperative pain on the 3rd day (MD -1.1; 95% CI -1.7 to -0.5; p < 0.01), lower SSI rates (OR 0.23; 95% CI 0.08-0.73; p = 0.012), and a shorter time to pass flatus (MD -0.8; 95% CI -1.2 to -0.4; p < 0.01). However, NOSE was linked to longer operative times (MD 36.4 minutes; 95% CI 3.4-69.4; p = 0.03). No significant differences were found in hospital stay (MD -0.5 days; 95% CI -2.1 to 1.1; p = 0.57), blood loss (MD -2.1; 95% CI -9.6 to 5.4; p = 0.58), or local recurrence (OR 0.44; 95% CI 0.07-3.01; p = 0.405). In conclusion, NOSE offers advantages such as reduced postoperative pain, lower SSI rates, and faster bowel recovery, with prolonged operative time as its main limitation. These findings support NOSE as a viable alternative to CVT for right-sided colon cancer without compromising safety or long-term outcomes.