Methylene blue arterial perfusion increases lymph node detection in rectal cancer resection patients
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Key Takeaway
Consider methylene blue perfusion may improve lymph node detection in rectal cancer surgery but evidence is limited.
This retrospective cohort study evaluated 120 patients undergoing radical rectal cancer resection at a hospital in Bengbu City. The experimental group received methylene blue arterial perfusion via the inferior mesenteric artery with heparinization of the surgical specimen post-extraction, while the control group received no special treatment after specimen removal. The primary outcome was total postoperative lymph node detection rates, with secondary outcomes including positive lymph node detection rates and average time per lymph node examined.
Main results showed the experimental group had significantly higher total lymph node detection compared to the control group (27.783 ± 9.243 vs. 15.317 ± 7.480, P < 0.05). The total number of negative lymph nodes detected was also higher in the experimental group, and the average time per lymph node examined was reduced. Safety and tolerability data were not reported in the study.
Key limitations include the retrospective design, single-center setting, and lack of reported safety data. The study population was specific to patients undergoing radical rectal cancer resection at one hospital. Practice relevance suggests this approach may help ensure accurate pathological staging and provide more precise evidence for postoperative prognosis assessment and treatment planning in rectal cancer, but these findings should be interpreted cautiously pending further research.
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View Original Abstract ↓
This study aimed to investigate the effect of methylene blue injection via the inferior mesenteric artery on lymph node retrieval in postoperative rectal cancer specimens.
This retrospective cohort study enrolled 120 patients undergoing radical rectal cancer resection by the same surgical team at a hospital in Bengbu City between July 2023 and December 2024. Among these, 60 patients operated on between April and December 2024 underwent heparinization of the surgical specimen post-extraction, followed by methylene blue arterial perfusion (experimental group). The remaining 60 patients, operated on between July 2023 and March 2024, received no special treatment after specimen removal (control group). The two groups were compared regarding total postoperative lymph node detection rates, positive lymph node detection rates, and average time per lymph node examined.
The experimental group exhibited a higher total number of lymph nodes detected and a higher total number of negative lymph nodes detected compared to the control group, with both differences being statistically significant [27.783 ± 9.243 vs. 15.317 ± 7.480, t = 8.122, P
Methylene blue injection via the inferior mesenteric artery enhances the total number of lymph nodes detected post-rectal cancer surgery while reducing the average time per lymph node examination. This ensures accurate pathological staging and holds promise for providing more precise evidence for post-operative prognosis assessment and treatment planning in rectal cancer.
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