A prospective analysis of lymph node retrieval in colorectal cancer: discrepancies, neoadjuvant impact, and practical implications

Taken together, these findings emphasize the multifactorial nature of LN retrieval challenges, particularly in neoadjuvant-treated and anatomically complex cases. Refining dissection protocols, leveraging new technologies, and allocating adequate resources may help reduce retrieval errors, potentially improving staging accuracy and clinical decision-making.