No Coil® placement in patients undergoing left hemicolectomy and low anterior resection for colorectal cancer

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common tumor of the gastrointestinal tract. Anastomotic leak
(AL) and prolonged postoperative ileus (PPOI) are two important complications of colorectal surgery. In this
observational retrospective study, we evaluated the positive effects of transanal tube No Coil® in patients with CRC
undergoing low anterior resection (LAR) and left hemicolectomy (LC).
Methods: Thirty-eight cases and forty controls resulted eligible for the final sample. No Coil® placement (SapiMed
Spa, Alessandria, Italy) was considered an inclusion criteria for the case group. No Coil® was placed immediately
after the end of surgical treatment.
Results: PPOI was significantly more frequent in the control group. AL was evident in 1 patient (2.6%) of cases and
3 patients (7.5%) of controls. No statistical difference was found in AL occurrence between groups. POI days and AL
resulted associated with hospital stay. POI days were negatively associated with No Coil placement and positively
with AL.
Conclusion: With our preliminary data, we suggest that No Coil® placement can be considered as a valuable
procedure assisting colorectal surgery, but further studies are required to confirm and enlarge actual evidence.