Short-term Efficacy Comparison of Intracorporeal versus Extracorporeal Ileocolonic Anastomosis in Right Hemicolectomy for Colon Cancer---A Single-Center, Retrospective Study

Background Intracorporeal versus extracorporeal ileocolonic anastomosis are two anastomotic approaches in laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for colon cancer. The comparative advantages of these two techniques remain clinically debated. Therefore, this study was conducted to provide reference for clinical decision-making. Aim To investigate the short-term efficacy of intracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis (IIA) in right hemicolectomy for colon cancer. Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent laparoscopic right hemicolectomy in the Department of General Surgery, Beijing Fengtai You'anmen Hospital between December 2021 and November 2025 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the ileocolonic anastomosis technique: the observation group (IIA group), where the anastomosis was performed intracorporeally, and the control group (extracorporeal ileocolic anastomosis [EIA] group), where the anastomosis was performed extracorporeally. Relevant clinical indicators were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 132 patients were included in this study, with 62 in the observation group and 70 in the control group. Baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups, with no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05). There were no perioperative mortalities in either group. The observation group demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of total abdominal incision length, time to first flatus postoperatively, and incision pain scores on postoperative days 1 and 3 compared to the control group, with statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The duration of the ileocolonic anastomosis was longer in the observation group, showing a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding total operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of lymph nodes harvested, postoperative hospital stay, white blood cell levels and albumin levels on postoperative days 1, 3, and 5, abdominal drainage volume, incision pain score on postoperative day 5, or the incidence of postoperative complications (P > 0.05). Conclusion Intracorporeal anastomosis in right hemicolectomy for colon cancer can facilitate faster recovery of bowel function, shorten abdominal incisions, and reduce early postoperative incision pain, without increasing the complication rate. It is clinically proven to be safe and effective, demonstrating good application value.