Robot-guided neuromapping during nerve-sparing taTME for low rectal cancer

Purpose

Intraoperative pelvic neuromapping with electrophysiological evaluation of autonomic nerve preservation during robotic total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer is conventionally performed by the bedside assistant with a hand-guided probe. Our goal was to return autonomy over the neuromonitoring process to the colorectal surgeon operating the robotic console.

Methods

A recently described prototype microfork electrostimulation probe was evaluated intraoperatively during abdominal robotic-assisted transanal TME (taTME) surgery for low rectal cancer in three consecutive male patients.

Results

An intraoperative video demonstrates the good control and maneuverability of the prototype probe with electrophysiological confirmation of bilateral pelvic autonomic nerve preservation.

Conclusions

This study presents the first in situ application of a new microfork probe for fully robot-guided neuromapping in three patients undergoing TME surgery for low rectal cancer.