Development of a new operating rectal tube with a side window for transanal endoscopic surgery.
The authors describe a new rectal tube for use in transanal endoscopic surgery. The tube is a transparent plastic sheath with its forward end closed, measuring 40 mm in diameter and 150 mm in insert length. It has a window, measuring 40 mm in diameter, on its side. The target lesion, captured within the side window, prolapses into the rectal tube and is excellently visualised without positive pressure gas insufflation. This paper gives details of the tube and reports on a sessile rectal tumour successfully treated using the new system.