[Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for low or ultralow anterior resection of rectal cancer with anal sphincter preservation].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the feasibility of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for low or ultralow anterior resection of rectal cancer.


METHODS
Excision of the mesorectum and low (ultralow) colo-anal anastomoses were performed laparoscopically in 62 patients with low rectal cancer based on the concept of TME and double stapling technique (DST).


RESULTS
Sixty-two operations with TME and DST were performed in a totally laparoscopic manner, and only one was converted to open procedures because of dysfunction of coagulation. The operative time was 125 min (110-210 min) and the operative blood loss 20 ml (5-80 ml). The time for bowel function recovery and post-operatively dietary intake was 1-2 days. Twenty-eight patients received postoperative analgesics. Average hospital stay was 8 days (5-14 days). Complications were observed in only 2 of the 62 patients, one had suffered from urinary retention and the other, anastomotic leakage.


CONCLUSIONS
Totally laparoscopic excision of the mesorectum for low or ultralow anterior resection of rectal cancer is a minimally invasive technique with sphincter preservation, less postoperative pain, and rapid recovery.
Zhou
Zongguang
Z
Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Li
Li
L
Shu
Ye
Y
Yu
Yongyang
Y
Cheng
Zhong
Z
Lei
Wenzhang
W
Wang
Tiancai
T
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome