Advantages of Endoscopic Tattooing in Laparoscopic Surgery for Left-sided Colon Cancer

Purpose This study investigates the advantages of preoperative colonoscopic tattooing using Spot® ink for patients with left-sided colon cancer undergoing laparoscopic surgery, aiming to assess its usefulness. Methods Between November 2020 to January 2022, a total of 216 patients who underwent laparoscopic resections were analyzed, with 74 patients receiving preoperative colonoscopic tattooing (Tattooed Group, TG) and 142 patients not receiving tattooing (Non-Tattooed Group, NTG). Propensity score matching was employed, resulting in 40 matched patients in each group. Outcomes assessed included operative time, intraoperative blood loss, specimen characteristics, recovery metrics, and postoperative complications. Results After propensity score matching, the TG group experienced faster postoperative recovery with shorter postoperative oral ingestion period ( p  = 0.045) and hospital stay ( p  = 0.034). There was no significant difference in operative time, blood loss, specimen lengths, margin lengths, or retrieved lymph node counts between TG and NTG. The rate of postoperative complications was lower in the TG (2.5% vs. 10%). Multivariate analysis reaffirmed the benefits of tattooing for postoperative recovery, particularly for patients aged 60 and older. Conclusion Preoperative endoscopic tattooing with Spot® ink is a safe and effective technique that aids in optimizing postoperative recovery for left-sided colon cancer patients without compromising intraoperative and pathological outcomes. Further research is warranted to explore its impact on oncological prognosis and survival rates.