Annali italiani di chirurgia
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Nowadays, there is no standardization in surgical procedures for treatment of colon cancer. Since its introduction, laparoscopic surgery has gained increasing interest in colorectal surgery and it is now performed worldwide for treatment of colon cancer. Following the concept of total mesocolic excision introduced by Heald in 1988 in order to reduce local recurrence after surgical treatment of mid/low rectal tumors, the idea of complete removal of the mesocolon mesocolic envelope has been developed also for colon cancer, has evolved longtime and complete mesocolic excision has been recently adopted as the optimal approach for colon cancer. However, complete mesocolic excision, whose purpose is to remove all lymphatics and lymph nodes draining the tumor, is still discussed as far as oncologic results are concerned. Moreover, the role of laparoscopic approach for complete removal of mesocolon has to be defined. ⋯ Colorectal-tumor, Complete mesocolic excision, High vascular ligation, Laparoscopic colorectal surgery, Splenic flexure mobilization, Total mesocolic excision.