After more than 10 years of development, transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) has played an important role in anus-preserving surgery for low rectal cancer. Existing studies have shown that taTME is not significantly different from traditional laparoscopy in the short-term and long-term efficacy of the treatment of low rectal cancer, and that taTME has potential advantages in postoperative functional recovery. With the maturity of taTME technology, transanal endoscopic approach has gradually been clinically applied to other rectal tumors, anastomotic stenosis, lateral lymph node dissection and other scenarios. Clinical practice shows that the transanal endoscopic approach can dissect pelvic tissues more accurately, greatly reduce the difficulty of surgery for complex pelvic diseases, improve the safety of surgery, and provide new ideas for clinical practice.
Objective To assess the feasibility and adequacy of Harmonic Scalpel in a totally laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) and low,ultralow,colo-anal anastomoses for rectal cancer. Methods Excision of the mesorectum and low，ultralow site anastomoses were performed laparoscopically on 30 patients with low rectal cancer based on the concept of TME. Results All 30 TME were successfully completed by laparoscopic approach, and no one was converted to open procedures. A cholecystectomy and/or an ovariotomy were meanwhile performed laparoscopically for 3 patients with rectal cancer,and 1 patient with chronic cholesyctitis, gallstone,ovarian cyst and torsion of the ovary. The operation time was 155 min (115-320 min). Operative blood loss was 20 ml (5-80 ml).The time of bowel function returned and the time to resume postoperative diet was 1-2 days after the operation. Fourteen patients had postoperative analgesic requirement. Average hospital stay was 8 days (5-14 days) and there were no intraoperative and postoperative complications in all 30 patients.Conclusion Laparoscopic excision of the mesorectum and low,ultralow,coloanal anastomoses with Harmonic Scalpel for low rectal cancer is a perspective minimally invasive technique, which is feasible, safe, effective and has dramatic high rates of sphincter preservation with decreased postoperative pain, rapid recovery.
ObjectiveTo analyze whether transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) can achieve high-quality TME, explore the non-patient factors affecting the quality of taTME, improve the quality of taTME.MethodsThe clinical data of 76 patients undergoing taTME from January 2015 to September 2018 in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of Nanchong Central Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The operative time, intra-operative bleeding volume, positive rate of circumferential margin, integrity of mesorectum, positive rate of margin and complications were taken as the observation indexes of operative quality. The improvement of surgical equipment, structured training, and the accumulation of surgical cases (No. 1–25 cases was early group, No. 26–50 cases was mid-term group, No. 51–76 cases was later stage group) were compared as grouping conditions, and various factors affecting the quality of taTME were analyzed.Results① Pre- and post-the improvement of surgical equipment: compared to the pre-improvement of surgical equipment group, the distance between tumors and anal margin of patients in the post-improvement of surgical equipment was closer ［(4.9±1.3) cm vs. (5.9±2.7) cm, P=0.040］ and the postoperative hospital stay was shorter ［(10.6±3.9) d vs. (12.4±2.7) d, P=0.023］, while there were no significant difference in the amount of bleeding, the positive rate of circumferential margin, the integrity of mesorectum, the positive rate of margin and the complications in the two groups (P>0.05). ② Pre- and post-training for surgeon: compared to the pre-training group, the operative time in the post-training group was shortened ［(224.6±70.2) min vs. (275±77.0) min, P=0.020］, while there were no statistical differences in the amount of bleeding, the integrity of mesorectum, the difference of the positive rate of circumferential margin, the positive rate of distal margin, postoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay (P>0.05). ③ The cumulative grouping of cases: compared to the later stage group ［（218.8±69.5）min］, the operative time in the early group ［(275.2±82.6) min］ and the mid-term group ［(278.8±37.5) min］ were shortened with statistical difference (P=0.022, P=0.003). Moreover, compared to the early group ［(12.9±2.4) d］, the postoperative hospital stay in the mid-term group ［(10.8±4.0) d］ and the later stage group ［(10.2±3.6) d］ were shortened with statistical significance (P=0.032, P=0.007). However, there were no significant difference in the volume of bleeding, the positive rate of circumferential margin, the positive rate of incisal margin and the degree of mesangial integrity among the three groups (P>0.05).ConclusionstaTME can achieve high-quality TME. With the improvement of equipment, the participation of structured training and the accumulation of surgical cases, taTME achieved consistent quality in about 50 cases. The improvement of surgical equipment is the guarantee of the quality of taTME. Structured training is the key to improve the surgical quality of taTME.
ObjectiveTo investigate the progress and controversy of membrane anatomy theory in laparoscopic surgery for mid-low rectal cancer. MethodThe literature related to membrane anatomy theory in recent years was reviewed and summarized. ResultsThe membrane anatomy theory not only improved the effect of total mesorectal excision, ensured the integrity of the mesorectum, more standardized the operation and principles of rectal cancer surgery, but also provided the operator with a broad vision and clear anatomical hierarchy. The theory of membrane anatomy had important clinical significance for tumor radical resection, organ resection and functional protection. However, this theory had not been unified, and the establishment of membrane plane and the choice of surgical plane were still needed to be studied and explored. ConclusionAt present, scholars at home still regard the theory of membrane anatomy as the theoretical support and reference basis for the endoscopic treatment of mid-low rectal cancer, which can provide surgeons with new treatment prospects and research direction, and improve the survival expectancy and quality of life of patients with intestinal cancer in the future.
Objective To summarize the research progress of transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for rectal cancer. Methods The literatures about current status, limitations, and prospects of TaTME in China and abroad were collected to make an reviewe. Results TaTME is conformed to the principle of total mesorectal excision (TME), by using the ‘bottom-up’ approach and assisting in the laparoscopic technique platform, to ensure an adequate oncological distal margin, and it could improve the quality of the mesorectum specimens, reduce the circumferential margin involvement rate, afford more precise autonomic nerve preservation rate, and increase sphincter preservation rate. But it is also facing new complications, oncological and functional outcomes problems. Conclusions Although the experience with TaTME remains limited, the safety, feasibility, and short-term outcomes are acceptable. Nevertheless, there is a need for multicenter, large sample size, and long-term follow-up clinical studies focusing on the long-term outcomes to further improve the oncological safety of TaTME, before widespread application can be recommended.
Objective To evaluate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) in treating mid-low rectal cancer. Methods From March 2005 to July 2008, 74 patients with mid-low rectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic TME in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital were collected. The data of clinicopathologic parameters were analyzed. Results Laparoscopic TME was performed on 74 patients with mid-low rectal cancer. No operative death occurred in this group. No case was converted to open procedure. The mean operation time was 187 min. The mean operative blood loss was 90 ml. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 10 d. Bowel function was restored on 46 h after operation on average. The mean distance between tumor and the section edge was 3.1 cm. The average number of lymph node dissection was 19.7. The sphincter preservation rate was 97% in patients with tumor 6 cm above the anal verge. The follow-up times were 2-44 months, average 25 months. The incidence of complications was 9.5%. No tumor cell port site implantation or distant metastasis happened. One case was pelvic recurrence， no patient was dead.Conclusion Laparoscopic TME is a feasible, safe and minimally invasive technique for the patients with mid-low rectal cancer, achieving the principles of TME.
ObjectiveTo investigate current status of anal sphincter preservation in low rectal cancer.MethodThe recent literatures on the progress of anal sphincter preservation in the low rectal cancer were reviewed.ResultsIn the past, the surgical treatment of the low rectal cancer was mainly based on the Miles. With the deepening of the anatomical understanding, the improvement of surgical concepts, and the development of minimally invasive techniques, the treatment concept of the low rectal cancer had gradually entered the era of retaining anal and anal function. At present, many surgical methods including the transanal local excision, intersphincteric resection, transanal total mesorectal excision, etc. could be applied to the anal sphincter preservation of the lower rectal cancer, but the advantages and disadvantages of each surgical procedure and the scope of application were slightly different.ConclusionsAlthough there are many surgical procedures that can be applied to patients with low rectal cancer, none of them can achieve perfection in terms of retaining anal and anal function, reducing complications and recurrence rates, and improving survival. It is believed that with continuous understanding of rectal anatomy by surgeons, emergence of various neoadjuvant chemoradiation and new devices, and more anal sphincter preservation procedures and even artificial anal surgery, treatment of low rectal cancer will also be more good care for anal and maintenance function, so that patients can obtain a higher quality and a long-term survival opportunity.
Objective To evaluate the feasibility, safety, radicality, and short-term and mid-term clinical outcomes of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision （TME） in comparison with open procedure for the middle-lower rectal cancer. Methods From October 2005 to October 2008， 52 patients with middle-lower rectal cancer received laparoscopic TME （Dixon’operation） without preventive stoma， while 46 patients underwent conventional open TME （Dixon’operation） without preventive stoma. The operative procedures, clinicopathological data， and short-term and mid-term outcomes were collected and compared between the two groups. Results The other patients were successful in both groups in addition to 2 （3.8%） patients were converted to open procedure in laparoscopic TME group. There was no perioperative death in both groups. The intraoperative blood loss, the time for bowel movement retrieval （first flatus）， and the incision healing in laparoscopic TME group were better than that in open TME group （P＜0.05）. No significant differences were observed between two groups in anastomotic leakage and pulmonary infection （P＞0.05）. Comparison of specimen, no significant differences were observed between two groups in negative distal margin and circumferential resection margin, number of lymph nodes resected, distance of distal resection margin to the tumor （P＞0.05）. No significant differences were observed between two groups in cancer-related death, local recurrence, distant metastasis, and 3-year survival rate （P＞0.05）. Conclusions Laparoscopic TME for middle-low rectal cancer is a safe, feasible, and minimally invasive technique, and can achieve satisfactory oncological outcome, which provides similar short-term and mid-term outcome compared with the traditional open procedure.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and short-term outcome of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for the middle-lower rectal cancer in municipal hospital.MethodsThe pathological data of 94 patients with middle-lower rectal cancer (49 cases underwent laparoscopic TME, while 45 cases received open TME), who treated in The First People’s Hospital of Ziyang from Jan. 2015 to Jun. 2017, were retrospectively collected and analyzed.ResultsTwo patients (4.1%) in laparoscopy group were converted to open surgery. Compared with the laparotomy group, the laparoscopic group had significantly less volume of intraoperative bleeding, shorter abdominal incision, earlier time to the first flatus and liquid diet, and lower rate of 30-day postoperative complication (P<0.05), but had longer operative time (P=0.033). While there were no significant difference on postoperative stay, the specimen length, distal margin, and number of harvested lymph nodes between the 2 groups (P>0.05).ConclusionLaparoscopic TME is a feasible, safe, and minimally invasive technique for middle-lower rectal cancer, and produce more favourable short-term outcome than open surgery in municipal hospital.