Local resection of rectal tumours using the Salvati operating proctoscope--a safe and effective technique.
BACKGROUND
Per-anal excision can be an effective method for treating large rectal adenomas and selected rectal cancers. This procedure is suitable for adenomas that are too large for colonoscopic excision and for early rectal cancers in patients that are unfit for major resection.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 37 patients (16 male, 21 female) that had a local resection using a Salvati operating proctoscope. Fifteen had rectal cancer and 22 had rectal adenoma and all have been followed-up for a median of 14 months (range 2-65). Most cancers were staged pre-operatively with endorectal ultrasound and 6 cancer patients received adjuvant therapy.


RESULTS
There were no intra-operative complications, 6 minor postoperative complications, none requiring re-intervention (1 peri-anal haematoma, 2 postoperative anaemia, 2 chest complications, 1 secondary haemorrhage) and no peri-operative deaths. Lesions were histologically completely excised in 33 (89%). Thirty-four (92%) did not have any recurrence, 2 (5%) adenomas recurred (both successfully treated with further local resection) and 1 (3%) failed to attend for follow-up. Six have since died, all from comorbid conditions.


CONCLUSIONS
Local resection of rectal tumours using the operating proctoscope is a low cost technique with a low complication rate. Outcome of this treatment is good, and similar to other surgical modalities. Local tumour recurrences are uncommon and can be successfully treated with further local treatment.
Zammit
M
M
Department of Surgical Gastroenterology, Gartnavel General Hospital and Western Infirmary, Glasgow G12 0YN, UK.
O'dwyer
P
P
Molloy
R
R
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004867:Equipment Design; D004869:Equipment Safety; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D020700:Proctoscopes; D011351:Proctoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome