Total Excision of the Transanal Mesorectum as a New Technique for Treating Rectal Cancer in Cuba

Abstract

Introduction: The indications for transanal endoscopic microsurgery have evolved from surgery of rectal tumors to other pelvic diseases. The association between this and total excision of the transanal mesorectum offers a series of advantages.

Objective: To determine the indications, to describe the surgical technique and to show the long-term outcomes obtained in the performance of total excision of the transanal mesorectum for treating cancer of the middle and lower rectum.

Methods: A descriptive and prospective observational study was carried out of patients with cancer of the middle and lower rectum who underwent this surgical technique in the period from February 2017 to February 2022 at Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso.

Results: Thirteen patients were operated on, 9 with cancer of the lower rectum and 4 with cancer of the middle rectum, as well as an average age of 56.2 years (range 28-76). The average surgical time was 183 minutes (range 120-270) and estimated blood loss was 68 milliliters. The incidence of highest morbidity was 15.4 % and mean hospital stay was 5.4 days. The median follow-up period was 35 (range 9-69) months, with a local recurrence of 7.7 % and an overall 5-year survival of 100 %.

Conclusions: Total excision of the transanal mesorectum combined with laparoscopic surgery is a feasible and safe technique. The introduction of the variant technique using the instruments of endoscopic transanal microsurgery is more ergonomic and reduces costs.