Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal tumors: the St. Mary's experience

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to describe a single institution's experience in the use of transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal tumors. METHODS: Between 1996 and 2005, transanal endoscopic microsurgery was performed in 76 patients. The histologic diagnosis was adenoma in 48 and adenocarcinoma in 28 patients. RESULTS: Clear resection margins were achieved in 71 of 74 patients (95.9%). Overall morbidity was 18.9% because 14 patients developed minor (10 patients) or major complications (4 patients). During the follow-up, benign tumor recurrence was detected in 3 patients (6.3%). The recurrence rates among patients with T1, T2, and T3 malignant tumors were 7.1%, 42.8%, and 66.6%, respectively. COMMENTS: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a safe and feasible technique with low incomplete excision rates and may be the preferred method in patients with benign rectal tumors. Its role in the management of malignant tumors should be limited to selected patients with T1 lesions.     

经肛门内镜微创手术在治疗局限性直肠肿瘤中的应用

探讨经肛门内镜显微手术(TEM)在治疗局限性直肠肿瘤中的应用效果.方法 总结分析2006年4月至2008年12月接受TEM的75例直肠肿瘤患者的临床资料,分析TEM在直肠肿瘤治疗中的应用效果.结果 患者病灶平均直径为(1.6±0.8)cm(0.5～5.0 cm).病灶距肛缘平均(7.6±2.8)cm(5～20 cm).病灶在直肠内的部位:前壁25例,后壁24例,左侧壁14例,右侧壁12例.手术方式包括:肠壁全层切除64例,黏膜下及肌层部分切除11例.平均手术时间(73.7±32.1)min(30～180 min),术中平均失血(9.8±7.7)ml(3～50 ml).术后病理检查:直肠腺瘤28例,直肠腺瘤癌变和直肠癌25例(其中Tis期14例,T1期5例,T2期6例),直肠类癌7例,炎性息肉等15例.所有标本切缘均为阴性.全组术后4例(5.3%)发生并发症,其中并发肛门出血2例,肺部和泌尿系感染各1例.术后平均住院(3.4±1.2)d(2～7 d).术后平均随访8.4个月(3～26个月),未发现疾病或肿瘤有复发转移.结论 TEM治疗直肠肿瘤具有手术损伤小,出血少、疗效好、恢复快等优点,是目前直肠肿瘤局部切除的较佳方法.     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery: a necessary requirement?

INTRODUCTION: There has been a gradual introduction of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) into UK practice although the uptake remains variable. This study aimed to assess the availability, application and referral pattern of TEM amongst colorectal surgeons. METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all consultant members of the Association of Coloproctology. This considered their practice, the availability, application and referral pattern for TEM, and their views on application regarding a selection of rectal tumour scenarios. RESULTS: There were 142 replies representing 116 hospitals and 297 colorectal surgeons. The median catchment area was 280,000 (range 70,000-1,000,000). TEM was available in 18% of hospitals and 72% either performed or referred patents for TEM. Of 21 units performing TEM, 15 received referrals. From 305 TEM procedures performed over the previous year, 206 were referred cases. Eighty-five per cent of consultants considered TEM a necessary technique for optimum management of rectal lesions. Although 61% of consultants considered endoanal excision optimal for low benign rectal tumours, 58% said TEM was optimal for midrectal lesions and between 30% and 55% for high rectal lesions depending if the tumour position was anterior or posterior, respectively. One-third of consultants would perform TEM for a low T1 rectal carcinoma although half would proceed to anterior resection. DISCUSSION: TEM is considered to have a significant role in the optimal management of rectal lesions. The presence of the technique in a limited number of hospitals does appear to provide adequate resources although audit should continue to be centralized.     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery in the treatment of rectal carcinoid tumor

Background This study aimed to assess the efficacy of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) in the treatment of rectal carcinoid tumor. Methods Between May 1994 and April 2006, 27 patients with rectal carcinoid tumor underwent TEM, and their clinical data were reviewed retrospectively. Results The TEM procedure was performed as a primary excision (n = 14) or as completion surgery after incomplete resection by endoscopic polypectomy (n = 13). The average size of a primary tumor was 9.1 mm (range, 5–13 mm), and the average distance of the tumor from the anal verge was 8.5 cm. The mean duration of the operation was 51.6 min. Minor morbidities, transient soilage, and mild dehiscence occurred in two cases (7.4%). Histopathologically, all tumors were localized within the submucosal layer showing typical histology without lymphatic or vessel infiltration, and both deep and lateral surgical margins were completely free of tumors. Among 13 cases of completion surgery after endoscopic polypectomy, 4 (30.8%) were histologically shown to have a residual tumor in the specimens obtained by TEM. No additional radical surgery was performed. The mean follow-up period was 70.6 months, and no recurrence was noted. Conclusion The results indicate that TEM is a safe, minimally invasive procedure for the local excision of rectal carcinoid tumors, particularly those in the proximal rectum. Furthermore, for patients with microscopic positive margins after endoscopic polypectomy, TEM can be an effective surgical option for complete removal of residual tumors.     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery in the treatment of select rectal cancers or tumors suspicious for cancer

Background: This study describes a personal experience with the use of transanal endoscopic microsurgery to facilitate surgical access, and to determine the ability of this technique to reduce the need for major abdominal procedure and prevent the need for a temporary or permanent colostomy in select patients with known or suspected rectal cancer. Methods: The subjects of this study were 43 patients with rectal cancer or tumors who had a high likelihood of malignancy. The 24 men and 19 women comprised two groups: patients with known cancer (n = 16) and patients with tumors suspicious for cancer (n = 27), six of whom proved to have invasive malignancy. The tumors ranged in size from 1 to 7 cm (average, 3.5 cm). The tumors inferior level in the rectum ranged from –1 to 21 cm (average, 6.5 cm). Eleven patients known to have rectal cancer were treated with preoperative radiation or chemoradiation. By ordinary standards, 22 patients would have received an abdominal perineal resection; 14 patients would have qualified for abdominal sphincter–preserving operations; and 7 patients were indeterminate. Full-thickness local excisions were disk excisions (n = 23), hemicircumferential excisions (n = 19), and sleeve resection (n = 1). The ages of the patients ranged from 30 to 91 years (average, 66.7 years). Results: In this study, 90% avoided a major abdominal operation (39/43), and 90% avoided an abdominal perineal resection of the patients (20/22). The complications were as follows: mortality (n = 10), morbidity (n = 9), minor wound separation (n = 6), and major wound separation (n = 3). Two of these complications were rectovaginal fistulas: the one in a 91-year-old patient who presented with a fistula and the other in a 77-year-old patient who presented with a previously irradiated and incompletely excised cancer. A single instance of locally recurrent cancer required an abdominal perineal resection. There were no other recurrences. Overall, three patients required a stoma (7%). Conclusion: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery promises to offer a safe and effective option for the selective treatment of patients with rectal cancer after preoperative chemoirradiation, and for the management of tumors suspicious for rectal cancer. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery used selectively can reduce the need for major abdominal surgery and colostomy.     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) permits precise excision of favorable tumors from the mid and proximal rectum, thus avoiding transsacral and low anterior resection in select cases. Ten patients underwent TEM resection of rectal tumors by a single surgeon between April 1992 and August 1993. All patients first underwent endorectal ultrasound. Villous adenomas ranging from 3.2 to 4.5 cm in size (mean, 3.9 cm) in eight patients and T₁ adenocarcinomas of 1.5 and 2.5 cm (mean, 2 cm) in two patients were excised. Resection was performed using the mucosectomy method in three and by full-thickness excision in seven patients. Distal extent of tumors ranged from 6 to 11 cm from the anal verge. The operative time in these initial ten cases ranged from 75 to 220 min (mean, 138 min). Estimated blood loss ranged from 0 to 550 cc (mean, 85 cc). Complications occurred in two patients (pseudomembranous colitis; fever of unknown origin). The mean length of hospital stay was 2.7 days. To date, one tumor has recurred, requiring an abdominoperineal resection. In no case was conversion to conventional method of resection necessary at the time of TEM resection. TEM is a safe and effective method for resecting favorable tumors in select cases.     

经肛门内镜微创手术治疗32例直肠腺瘤

目的 评估经肛门内镜微创手术（TEM）治疗直肠腺瘤临床应用的安全性及疗效.方法 2006年9月至2010年2月共32例术前诊断为直肠腺瘤的患者接受TEM治疗,总结其治疗结果.结果 全组患者肿瘤直径0.6～10.0（2.31.2）cm.手术时间为20～180（平均70）min,术中平均出血量小于10 ml,无中转开腹手术.22例（68.8%）行创面缝合,其中全层切除14例;有2例上段直肠肿瘤行全层切除时切穿至腹膜腔,予腔内连续缝合修补破损,术后均未发生肠漏.R0切除31例（96.9%）.术后病理示单纯腺瘤12例;腺瘤伴低级别上皮内瘤变10例;腺瘤伴高级别上皮内瘤变5例;腺瘤局灶癌变5例,均为T1期.术后并发肛门出血、急性尿潴留和肺部感染各1例.术后平均住院时间为4.5（3～8）d;平均随访23（2～43）个月,2例出现复发.结论 TEM手术创伤小、切除精确,是一种对直肠较大腺瘤安全有效的微创手术方法.     

Comparison of results after transanal endoscopic microsurgery and radical resection for T1 carcinoma of the rectum

Background: We compared the results of transanal endoscopic microsurgery and radical surgery in patients with T1 carcinomas of the rectum. Methods: We performed a retrospective study (1985–96) to compare the results obtained in 103 patients with T1 rectal carcinomas (low-risk T1, n= 80; high-risk T1; n= 23) undergoing transanal endoscopic microsurgery and radical surgical therapy. Results: The complication rate in patients undergoing local excision was 3.4% (two of 58); it was 18% (eight of 45) in the group treated with radical surgery. Two of 45 patients (3.8%) died after radical resection; there were no deaths after local excision. With regard to the actuarial 5-year survival rate, no difference was observed in the group with low-risk T1 carcinoma between patients treated with local excision (79%) and those who had radical resection (81%) (p= 0.72). In patients with high-risk T1 carcinoma, lymph node metastases were identified in four of 11 patients undergoing radical resection (36%). Four of 12 patients with high-risk T1 carcinoma treated by local excision developed recurrences, whereas none of the patients undergoing primary radical surgery had a recurrence. Conclusions: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for the treatment of low-risk T1 carcinomas is associated with a significantly lower complication rate than radical surgical therapy. There is no difference in 5-year survival between local and radical surgical therapy in patients with low-risk T1 carcinoma. Received: 23 May 1997/Accepted: 18 December 1997     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery in large,sessile adenomas of the rectum

The clinical and long-term results of 286 cases encountered from 1983 to 1993 in our Department of Surgery regarding the local excision of large, sessile rectal adenomas (>2cm²) by the endoscopic surgical method and the influence of this selected series of adenomas on age, sex, size, grade of dysplasia, and architecture are subjects of this study. Histologically proven rectal carcinomas as well as nonneoplastic polyps were excluded from this trial.Early postoperative complications amounted to 3.4%. The 1-year and 5-year recurrence rates ±SE of adenomas were 1.2±0.7% and 7.0±1.9%, respectively. Remarkably, there was no significant relationship between the histological type of the adenoma and the grade of dysplasia nor between the size and grade of dysplasia. However, there was a significant relationship between the size and histological type of the adenoma (P<0.01).With the endoscopic minimal-invasive system, we are able to achieve a superior rate of recurrence compared to any other local treatment as well as a more favorable operative result compared to extensive surgical procedures.     

经肛门微创外科手术在直肠癌的临床应用

相对于直肠癌根治术而言,直肠癌局部切除术具有手术创伤小、风险低、能保肛以及术后无性功能和泌尿功能障碍等优点。经肛门内镜微创手术（TEM）是近年来国际上较为盛行的一种直肠癌局部切除技术．同传统的局部切除术相比．TEM具有优良的术野显露和宽敞的操作空间,更配有制造精良、性能优越的多种手术器械,为外科医师在术中精细的组织解剖、精准的肿瘤切除、降低和避免肿瘤切缘不足或切缘阳性提供了极佳的手术条件和技术上的保障。术前准确评估、仔细遴选病例以及严格掌握手术指征是获得良好疗效的基础。TEM最佳的适应证为直肠腺瘤高级别瘤变（Tis期）、T1期中低危组直肠癌以及癌仅侵及sm1和sin2的患者。经过新辅助治疗后降期明显（肿块缩小大于50％者）的T,期和L期直肠癌也可进入TEM的研究性治疗。TEM术中对病灶行局部根治性切除是预防肿瘤术后复发的关键。     

经肛门内镜显微手术切除直肠肿瘤

目的评价经肛门内镜显微手术(TEM)切除直肠绒毛状腺瘤和早期直肠癌的应用效果。方法分析我院总结1995年11月至2001年12月27例TEM手术的临床资料。结果本组患者肿瘤直径中位值2.5cm,肿瘤下缘与齿状线距离(8.9±3.4)cm,肿瘤侵犯直肠周径范围(35.7±17.5)%。平均手术时间(109±46)min。平均住院日4.5d。无围手术期死亡。手术并发症有尿潴留、暂时性大便失禁和慢性阻塞性肺病(COPD)复发。术中2例切穿至腹腔,即刻内镜下修补成功。切缘100%瘤细胞阴性。病理示直肠绒毛状腺瘤14例、直肠腺癌13例,后者包括pTis2例,pT16例和pT25例。直肠癌腔内超声肿瘤T分期符合率为84.6%。5例pT2中2例中转前切除术,1例接受术后放疗,2例无附加任何治疗。平均随访18个月,所有病例无局部复发。死亡2例,但无复发迹象。结论TEM易行且安全,是直肠绒毛状腺瘤和部分T1直肠癌的治愈性手术,也可作为T2直肠癌的姑息性治疗手段。     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery and radical surgery for T1 and T2 rectal cancer

Background: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) has gained increasing acceptance as a local treatment of early rectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare the results of TEM and radical surgery in patients with T1 and T2 rectal cancer. Methods: From October 1994 to December 2000, 74 patients with T1 and T2 rectal adenocarcinoma treated with TEM were compared with 100 patients with T1N0M0 and T2N0M0 rectal adenocarcinoma treated with radical surgery. Retrospective analysis was performed regarding to recurrence and survival rate. Neither group received adjuvant chemoradiation. There was no significant difference in age, gender, tumor location, or follow-up period between the two groups. The only difference was in tumor size. Results: Of the 74 patients in TEM group, 52 were T1 (70.3%) and 22 were T2 (29.7%). Of the 100 patients in radical surgery group, 17 were T1 (17%) and 83 patients were T2 (83%). The 5-year local recurrence rates were 4.1% for T1, 19.5% for T2 after TEM, 0% for T1, and 9.4% for T2 after radical surgery. There was no statistical difference between the TEM and radical surgery groups for T1 rectal cancer (p = 0.95), but for T2 rectal cancer, the 5-year local recurrence rate was higher after TEM than after radical surgery (p = 0.04). There were no significant statistical difference between the two groups in terms of the 5-year disease-free survival rate and the survival rate. Conclusions: For T1 rectal cancer, there was no difference in recurrence or 5-year survival rate between the TEM and the radical surgery groups. For T2 rectal cancer, there was no statistical difference in the 5-year survival rate between the two groups, but TEM carried higher risk of local recurrence. Therefore, careful selection of the patients is required for TEM, and when proper muscle invasion is proven, the TEM procedure should be supplemented by further treatment, or radical surgery should be performed. Presented at the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) meeting and the 8th World Congress of Endoscopic Surgery, New York, New York, USA, 13–16 March 2002     

An evaluation of transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal adenoma and carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery was introduced in the early 1980s. Since then, increasing numbers of rectal adenomas are being excised by this technique. The aim of this study was to evaluate our institution's experience with transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal adenoma and carcinoma. METHODS: Seventy-five patients (adenomas, n = 58) underwent more than 90 TEM resections over a period of 5 years. RESULTS: Postoperative complications were minimal with 3% (n = 2) in the adenoma group requiring transfusion and 0% 30-day mortality. One patient in each group developed transient fecal incontinence. During the follow-up period, 6 patients (10%) in the adenoma group underwent further local resections for their recurrences. Two patients in the carcinoma group (1 each of pathological T1 and T2 stage) developed recurrence at 24 months. A female with a T2 tumor was found to have an inoperable lesion and underwent sigmoid colostomy. Five of 17 patients had postoperative radiotherapy, and 2 patients developed radiation enteritis. Four patients died during follow-up due to unrelated reasons. CONCLUSION: The transanal endoscopic microsurgery technique appears to be safe and associated with minimal morbidity. Careful selection of patients with thorough preoperative assessment is necessary for carcinoma patients. Patients with T1 lesions and favorable histology should only be considered for curative resection by this technique.     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is superior to transanal excision of rectal adenomas

Aim Comparison of transanal excision (TE) and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) of rectal adenomas (RA) has rarely been performed. Method From 1990 to 2007, the results of TE (43 RA) and TEM (216 RA) were compared. Rectal adenomas were matched for diameter and distance from the anal verge. Results Operation time was 47.5 min for TE and 35 min for TEM (P < 0.001). Morbidity was 10% after TE and 5.3% after TEM (P < 0.001). Negative resection margins were observed in 50% after TE and 88% after TEM (P < 0.001). Fragmentation of the excised specimen was observed in 23.8% after TE and 1.4% after TEM (P < 0.001). In cases of fragmentation, positive resection margins were observed more frequently. Recurrence was 28.7% after TE and 6.1% after TEM (P < 0.001). After TE, RA with a negative resection margin had a local recurrence rate of 0%, compared with 59.6% with a positive margin (P < 0.001), and after TEM these rates were 3.2 and 7.7% (P = 0.3), respectively. Conclusion Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is superior to transanal excision of RA.     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for the treatment of selected patients with distal rectal cancer: 15 years experience

Background  Local therapy for early rectal cancer is a valid alternative to the classical radical operation, which has a higher morbidity and mortality rate. The use of high-dose preoperative radiation appears to enhance the options for sphincter-saving surgery even for T2–T3 rectal cancer patients with effective local control. The authors report their experience with transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) used to manage selected cases of distal rectal cancer without evidence of nodal or distant metastasis (N0–M0). Methods  The study enrolled 196 patients with rectal cancer (51 T1, 84 T2, and 61 T3). All the patients staged preoperatively as T2 and T3 underwent preoperative high-dose radiotherapy, and since 1997, patients younger than 70 years in good general condition also have undergone preoperative chemotherapy. Results  Minor complications were observed in 17 patients (8.6%) and major complications in only 3 patients (1.5%). The definitive histology was 33 pT0 (17%), 73 pT1 (37%), 66 pT2 (34%), and 24 pT3 (12%). Eight patients (5 pT2 and 3 pT3) experienced local recurrence (4.1%). The rectal cancer-specific survival rate at the end of the follow-up period was 100% for pT1, 90% for pT2, and 77% for pT3 patients. Conclusions  Patients with T1 cancer and favorable histologic features may undergo local excision alone, whereas those with T2 and T3 rectal cancer require preoperative radiochemotherapy. The results in the authors’ experience after TEM appear not to be substantially different in terms of local recurrence and survival rate from those described for conventional surgery.     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for the treatment of rectal cancer: comparison of wound complication rates with and without neoadjuvant radiation therapy

Background  Neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer has led to improved tumor downstaging and higher complete pathologic response rates. At the same time, the introduction of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) technique has renewed interest in local excision of rectal cancer. There has been concern that radiation may make the more radical local excision with TEM unsuitable. Our study compared morbidity rates and wound complication rates for patients undergoing TEM and local excision with and without neoadjuvant radiation to determine whether this could be accomplished safely. Methods   Data for all patients undergoing TEM are prospectively entered into a database. This database was queried for patients with rectal cancer undergoing TEM from November 1997 to June 2007. Of 64 patients identified, 2 were excluded because of previous radiation to the pelvis. Results   The study enrolled 62 patients with a final pathologic diagnosis of rectal cancer: 43 treated using neoadjuvant therapy with radiation (XRT) and 19 patients treated with TEM alone. The patients in the XRT group were 67 years of age (range, 29–86 years) and included 13 women. The patients in the non-XRT group were 66 years of age (range, 40–89 years) and included 8 women. Neither group had any mortalities. The overall morbidity rate was 33% for the XRT group and 5.3% for the non-XRT group, and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The wound complication rates were 25.6% for the XRT group (11 patients) and 0% for the non-XRT group (p = 0.015). Nine patients in the XRT group (82%) had minor wound separations, and two patients (18%) had major wound separation. Ten patients with wound separations were treated as outpatients and administered long-term oral antibiotics. One patient required additional surgery (diverting stoma). Conclusions  Not unexpectedly, the wound complication rate was higher in the XRT group. However, 82% of those wounds were minor, and 91% were treated without any additional surgery or intervention. Although a significant concern, wound complications do not prohibit TEM treatment after neoadjuvant treatment. Presented orally at the 2008 meeting of the Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES).     

Local excision of rectal schwannoma using transanal endoscopic microsurgery: A case report

INTRODUCTION

Schwannoma is a neoplasm originating from the neural crest cells (schwann cells) that form nerve sheaths. These tumors are thought to be benign with little risk of malignant transformation. They rarely affect the gastrointestinal tract, and primary rectal involvement is extremely rare. Until 2013, only 11 cases of anorectal schwannoma have been reported. Optimal surgical treatment of rectal schwannoma has not been established.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We herein describe a 70-year-old woman with a submucosal tumor arising from the posterior wall of the rectum with features mimicking a gastrointestinal stromal tumor. After discussing the operative procedures and obtaining written informed consent, we attempted local excision of the tumor using a transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). The tumor was proved to be S-100 positive schwannoma on immuhistochemical studies. Her postoperative course was uneventful, and there is no evidence of tumor recurrence as of 6 months after surgical excision.

DISCUSSION

An extremely rare rectal schwannoma was successfully treated using a TEM without compromising anorectal function.

CONCLUSION

TEM is a feasible approach for local excision of rectal tumors with low risk of malignancy.     

经肛手套通路联合结肠镜微创手术治疗直肠肿瘤

目的：探讨经肛手套通路联合结肠镜微创手术治疗直肠肿瘤的可行性及疗效。方法杭州市第三人民医院肛肠外科自2012年10月至2013年3月,选择经评估适合行局部切除的直肠肿瘤患者8例,使用经肛手套通路联合结肠镜微创手术治疗。经肛手套通路的建立：将手套袖口连同扩肛器缝合固定于肛周,再将手套5指经由透明肛门镜翻转出肛门,将超声刀、无损伤肠钳和肠镜镜头分别从3个指套伸入并结扎固定。结果8例患者均成功完成肿瘤切除手术,制作手套入路装置平均耗时12．5（10．0～15．0） min,平均手术时间55．6（30．0～110．0） min,平均住院时间为5．0（3．0～8．0） d,术后病理提示绒毛状腺瘤3例,管状腺瘤2瘤,管状绒毛状腺瘤2例,锯齿状腺瘤1例,其中2例伴低级别上皮内瘤变,1例高级别上皮内瘤变,所有肿瘤组织标本边缘及基底部均为阴性。术后2例患者少量便血,随访1～5（中位3．1）月,无肿瘤复发。结论采用经肛手套通路联合结肠镜微创手术治疗直肠早期肿瘤具有简单和安全的特点,具有一定的应用价值。     

Decision for salvage treatment after transanal endoscopic microsurgery

BACKGROUND: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) has emerged as an alternative to classic radical operation for early rectal cancer. Early rectal cancer can be treated by adequate local excision such as TEM. If there are adverse risk factors, especially poor cellular differentiation, close resection margin, or positive lymphovascular invasion or incomplete excision, a radical resection is indicated. This study aimed to clarify the factors related to recurrence for patients required to undergo a salvage operation after TEM. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 167 patients who underwent TEM for rectal cancer between 1994 and 2004. Of these patients, 36 with poor differentiation, mucinous carcinoma, proper muscle invasion, lymphovascular invasion, and positive resection margin were included in the analysis. RESULTS: Of the 36 patients, 12 underwent a salvage operation, and the remaining 24 did not because of poor physical condition or refusal of radical surgery. There were a total of 6 (16.7%) recurrences. One (8.3%) of the 12 patients who underwent salvage surgery had systemic recurrence. Five (20.8%) of the 24 patients who did not receive surgery had recurrence (3 local recurrences, 2 distant recurrences). Analysis of the subgroups showed that 2 (28.6%) of 7 patients with lymphovascular invasion had recurrence, and that 1 patient (100%) had a T3 lesion. Three (17.6%) of 17 patients had T2 lesions. CONCLUSIONS: For high-risk patients, TEM followed by radical surgery is the most beneficial in preventing local recurrence. Radical salvage surgery is strongly recommended if pathologic results after TEM show T3 lesion or lymphovascular invasion.     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery in early rectal cancer: time for a trial?

Objective The optimal aim of oncological surgery is to balance cancer outcomes with preservation of function and quality of life. Radical resection (RR) offers the best curative procedure in colorectal cancer but at significant morbidity. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) offers an alternative with less morbidity and better function. Its role remains unclear and needs to be established in the light of new emerging trends in rectal cancer. This review aims to evaluate the use of TEM and its limitations. Method PubMed and MEDLINE search was performed. Results Strongest level of evidence (Level II) favoured TEM over RR and laparoscopic resection in term of mortality and morbidity. There was no difference in recurrence at follow-up of 41 and 56 months but neither study was adequately powered to detect a difference in recurrence/survival. Three retrospective case comparisons (Level III) also favoured TEM over RR but were subject to selection bias. Twenty eight published case series (Level IV) reported varying results due to different cancer stages, study population, full excision, adjuvant therapy and treatment indication. The oncological outcomes in TEM are similar to RR in highly selected cases but with far less mortality (near 0%), morbidity, blood loss, hospital stay and genitourinary/gastrointestinal dysfunction. TEM alone (+/− adjuvant therapy) appears sufficient for ‘favourable’ T1 tumours. ‘Unfavourable’ T1 or T2 tumours require adjuvant treatment. TEM should only be used for palliation in T3+ cancers. Seven functional studies reported significant transient dysfunction following TEM with full clinical recovery within a year. TEM is cost-effective providing sufficient cases are performed. Conclusion Significant heterogeneity limits conclusions from current literature. A trial is required. Alternate end-points to local recurrence may be required in assessing the optimal surgical approach, which balances disease control with quality of life, and probability of noncancer related death.