title: Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) with a GelPOINT®Path for lower rectal cancer as an alternative to transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM).
abstract: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive technique. However, TEM has not yet achieved widespread use. Recently, transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) using single-port surgery devices has been reported. In the present study, TAMIS using a GelPOINT®Path was performed in six patients with lower rectal cancer. A complete full-thickness excision was performed in all cases. The patient characteristics, operative techniques and operative outcomes were evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 63.0 years (range: 48-76). The mean operating time and blood loss were 86 min (range: 55-110) and 5 ml (range 0-10), respectively. There were no instances of morbidity or mortality. Additional transabdominal rectal resection was not performed, and adjuvant chemoradiotherapy was performed in all cases. The mean Wexner score was 0.6 (range: 0-3; n=5) at 6 months, and 0 (range: 0; n=4) at 12 months. TAMIS using a GelPOINT®Path was revealed to be easy and safe to perform. Although only a small number of cases were treated, the anal function following surgery was shown to be favorable, and the operation was demonstrated to be sufficiently feasible. Based on these results, TAMIS may, in time, assume a major role in the resection of large adenomas and early rectal cancers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka 537-8511, Japan; Department of Surgery, Osaka Rosai Hospital, Sakai, Osaka 591-8025, Japan.
authors.forename: Shingo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noura
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka 537-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohue
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka 537-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Norikatsu
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Miyoshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Osaka Medical Center for Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases, Osaka 537-8511, Japan.
authors.forename: Masayoshi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yasui
keywords: GelPOINT® Path; rectal cancer; transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS)