[Concept of lateral lymph nodes in rectal cancer and controversy over lateral lymph node dissection].

Lateral lymph node (LLN) metastasis in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) is associated with patient prognosis. However, the role of lateral lymph node dissection (LLND) remains controversial. The concept of LLN and the exact definition of LLND have been inconsistently reported in the literatures. The treatment strategy for LARC has differed between the East and the West. The Japanese doctors advocates total mesorectal excision (TME) with LLND for LARC, but less neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (NARC). European and Americans prefer NARC plus TME, and do not recommend LLND. So far, only the Japanese Statute of Colorectal Cancer has a clear definition of the concept of LLN and LLND. The use of TME plus LLND for LARC is not supported by high level evidences. In today's high-speed development of minimally invasive surgery, the proper selection of standardized surgical methods for LARC requires the joint efforts of scholars from the East and the West to conduct multicenter high-grade clinical trials to select the best treatment option for patients with LARC.局部进展期直肠癌侧方淋巴结（LLN）转移与患者预后相关。但是对侧方淋巴结清扫（LLND）的临床意义，学术界始终存在争议。对于LLN的概念，以及LLND的确切定义，文献报道并不一致。长期以来，局部进展期中低位直肠癌的治疗策略，在东西方学者间有所不同。以日本为代表，主张对局部进展期直肠癌采用全直肠系膜切除术（TME）加LLND，而较少采用术前新辅助放化疗。欧美学者则选择新辅助放化疗加TME，不推荐采用LLND。到目前为止，只有《日本大肠癌规约》对LLN及其清扫范围等有清晰定义。局部进展期直肠癌是否采用TME加LLND，尚缺乏高等级的循证医学证据。在微创外科高速发展的今天，如何正确地选择低位直肠癌规范的手术方法，需要东西方学者共同努力，开展多中心、高等级的临床试验，为中低位直肠癌患者选择最佳的治疗方案。.