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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Katti
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Research Registrar, University Hospital, Nottingham, NG72UH, UK. lo_78@hotmail.com
D000236:Adenoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011351:Proctoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome