Multicenter Prospective Study Protocol for Validating Surgical Quality Standards in D3 Lymphadenectomy for Oncological Right Hemicolectomy

Introduction: D3 lymphadenectomy (D3L) for right hemicolectomy, proposed by Eastern guidelines, aims to improve oncological outcomes by extending resection to include lymphatic drainage zones beyond those addressed by complete mesocolic excision (CME). However, the absence of standardized anatomopathological quality parameters limits its validation. This multicenter study seeks to validate this criteria, including the "right mesocolic sail," to classify D3L specimens and evaluate its clinical and oncological implications.

Materials and Methods: This prospective, multicenter study involves 11 hospitals in Spain. Surgical specimens from right hemicolectomy with D3L will be analyzed for the presence of the "right mesocolic sail" and classified as complete or incomplete D3L. Standard CME criteria will also be applied. Patient data, surgical details, and oncological outcomes at 3 and 5 years will be collected. Statistical analysis will compare lymph node retrieval, recurrence rates, survival outcomes, and perioperative complications between groups.

Results: The study will validate the right mesocolic sail as a quality parameter for D3L. Preliminary data from prior phases confirm increased lymph node retrieval and the presence of positive nodes in D3L specimens. Additional analyses will determine the impact of D3L on recurrence rates, survival, and perioperative risks.

Discussion: This study aims to provide standardized anatomopathological criteria to evaluate D3L, facilitating comparative studies and addressing its controversial oncological benefits. If validated, the criteria could enhance surgical quality assessment and inform future guidelines.