Single-incision laparoscopic surgery used to perform transanal endoscopic microsurgery (SILSTEM) for T1 rectal cancer under spinal anesthesia: report of a case

Transanal minimally invasive surgery for rectal neuroendocrine tumors

BACKGROUND

There is no literature that mainly searched for rectal neuroendocrine tumor (rNET) using transanal minimal invasive surgery (TAMIS). We report our clinical experiences of TAMIS for rectal neuroendocrine tumors to evaluate the feasibility and safety.

METHODS

Between December 2010 and March 2020, the 25 consecutive patients with rectal neoplasma underwent the TAMIS procedure performed by single laparoscopic surgeon at the two hospitals. Of these, ten patients with rectal neuroendocrine tumors were reviewed retrospectively. The full-thickness excision down to the outer fatty tissues was completed using TAMIS technique. Clinicopathological findings, perioperative and postoperative complications were recorded.

RESULTS

TAMIS for small rNET was successfully completed in all cases. There were seven cases with a tumor size of less than 10 mm, and three cases with a tumor size between 10 and 15 mm. Six patients underwent the primary tumor excision; the remaining four patients underwent resection for the scar after endoscopic procedure. The median surgical duration was 80.5 (53-124) minutes and the median blood loss was 1 (1-12) ml. All removed tumors in the 6 primary excisions were diagnosed as neuroendocrine tumor G1. The margins of specimens were completely free in all cases. Among the four patients after endoscopic procedure, all had no histological evidence of residual tumor. The median length of hospital stay was 7 days postoperatively. There was no post-operative mortality or severe complication. The median length of observation was 54 months. No recurrence, no local or distant metastasis and no mortality of all patients were observed.

CONCLUSIONS

TAMIS is safety and feasible procedure for small rNET. Further experience and clinical trials are needed to fully define the advantages, disadvantages, and indications of TAMIS for rNET.

Evaluation of Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery for Rectal Benign Lesions

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) for the treatment of benign rectal lesions so that patients can be provided with better surgical alternatives. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with rectal benign lesions who underwent TAMIS in the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2018 to June 2019. The patients' clinical data were thoroughly recorded, such as surgical-related information, postoperative pathology, and so on. At the same time, the patients were followed up regularly and carefully after the surgery. Results: A total of 16 eligible patients were enrolled in the study. All patients underwent colonoscopy before surgery and the biopsy results showed that all the removed specimens were rectal benign tumors. All the lesions were resected with TAMIS. The average operation time was 111.94 ± 46.13 minutes. Among the 16 cases, 1 of the patients was found to have undergone peritoneal entry during operation 1 and this showed that the peritoneal cavity was penetrated during the operation. The average postoperative hospital stay was 4.56 ± 1.79 days. The final pathology of the TAMIS specimens revealed a malignant neoplasm in 10 patients, including 9 cases of rectal adenocarcinoma, 1 case of nerve endocrine tumor, and 6 cases of rectal adenoma. No long-term complications were observed during the mean follow-up time of 10.19 ± 5.14 months. Conclusions: TAMIS is a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical procedure for the treatment of rectal adenomas, which can minimize the adverse effect on anal function.

TAMIS is a valuable alternative to TEM for resection of intraluminal rectal tumors

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to compare the short-term outcome after Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) and Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) for intraluminal rectal lesions.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database of all TEM and TAMIS procedures performed at a single institution by one surgeon between March 2009 and September 2017 was conducted. Primary outcome was operating time. Secondary outcomes were blood loss, pathological outcome, length of hospital stay, 30-day readmission and mortality.

RESULTS

Fifty-three patients underwent TEM procedure and 68 patients underwent TAMIS. Operating time was significantly shorter for TAMIS compared with TEM (median 45 vs 65 min, p < 0.0001). Blood loss was negligible for both TEM and TAMIS. Resection margins, lesion grade and invasion depth were comparable for both approaches. A significantly higher postoperative readmission rate was observed in the TEM group (17% vs 4.4%, p = 0.031). Mortality was zero in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

TAMIS is a valuable alternative to TEM, leading to decreased operating times, because all resections can be done in lithotomy position.

Local excision for rectal cancer: a minimally invasive option

Transanal excision (TAE) with conventional retractors and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) are two well established minimally invasive surgical options for the treatment of selected rectal cancers. TEM is nowadays considered the standard of care for the transanal excision of rectal tumors, since it is associated with significantly better quality of excision and lower rates of recurrence than TAE. When compared with rectal resection and total mesorectal excision, TEM has lower postoperative morbidity and better functional outcomes, with similar long-term survival rates in selected early rectal cancers. More recently, transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) has been developed as an alternative to TEM. Possible benefits of TAMIS are under evaluation.

What is the best tool for transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM)? A case-matched study in 74 patients comparing a standard platform and a disposable material

PURPOSE

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is the gold standard for local excision of rectal lesions, but no study exists concerning the best material. The objective was to compare TEM using a disposable material vs a standard platform through a case-matched study.

METHODS

Patients who underwent TEM for rectal neoplasms were identified from prospective databases in two tertiary referral centers and matched according to four criteria (sex, tumor location, size, distance from the anal verge): TEM using a disposable material (GelPoint Applied®; group A) and TEM using a standard TEO® platform (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany; group B).

RESULTS

A total of 74 patients were included and divided into group A (n = 33) and group B (n = 41). Full-thickness resection was less frequent in group A (85%) than B (100%; p = 0.01). Adenocarcinoma was less frequent in group A than B: 27 vs 42% (p = 0.03). No difference was noted regarding median operative time (53 vs 53 min; p = 0.6) and a peritoneal perforation rate (6 vs 20%; p = 0.17). Median length of stay was shorter in group A than B (4 vs 5 days; p < 0.008). No significant difference was noted for major morbidity (12 vs 10%; p = 0.66), R1 resection (21 vs 10%; p = 0.2), and recurrence rates (8 vs 7%; p = 0.62). No difference was noted for rectal stenosis (3 vs 12%; p = 0.22) and transit disorder rates (12 vs 17%; p = 0.74).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study suggested that TEM can be performed using either a TEO® platform or a disposable material, with similar surgical results. The TEO® platform seems to be superior to obtain full-thickness and R0 resection.

Significance of defect closure following transanal local full-thickness excision of rectal malignant tumors

Transanal excision (TAE) for rectal tumors is increasingly applied and it is generally recommended that the defect following full-thickness excision should be closed. The aim of this study was to compare the complications and anal function following TAE between cases where the defect was closed and those where it was not. A total of 43 consecutive rectal malignant tumor patients eligible for TAE were investigated. Regarding anorectal function, incontinence was assessed using the Wexner score. The defect of the rectum was closed in 21 of the 43 patients. There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding gender, distance from the anal verge, tumor size, diagnosis and tumor site. There was a significantly higher number of postoperative complications of all grades and ≥Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa in the closure group (P=0.02 and 0.04, respectively). Regarding the Wexner score, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P=0.24). Compared with the closure group, the non-closure group had significantly fewer postoperative complications of all grades and ≥Clavien-Dindo grade IIIa. Moreover, there was no significant difference regarding the anorectal function between the two groups. Thus, suturing the rectal defect is not necessarily recommended following TAE.

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) with a GelPOINT® Path for lower rectal cancer as an alternative to transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM)

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.

Transanal minimal invasive surgery for rectal lesions: should the defect be closed?

AIM

Transanal minimal invasive surgery (TAMIS) of rectal lesions is increasingly being used, but the technique is not yet standardized. The aims of this study were to evaluate peri-operative complications and long-term functional outcome of the technique and to analyse whether or not the rectal defect needs to be closed.

METHOD

Consecutive patients undergoing TAMIS using the SILS port (Covidien) and standard laparoscopic instruments were studied.

RESULTS

Seventy-five patients (68% male) of mean age 67 (± 15) years underwent single-port transanal surgery at three different centres for 37 benign lesions and 38 low-risk cancers located at a mean of 6.4 ± 2.3 cm from the anal verge. The median operating time was 77 (25-245) min including a median time for resection of 36 (15-75) min and for closure of the rectal defect of 38 (9-105) min. The defect was closed in 53% using interrupted (75%) or a running suture (25%). Intra-operative complications occurred in six (8%) patients and postoperative morbidity was 19% with only one patient requiring reoperation for Grade IIIb local infection. There was no difference in the incidence of complications whether the rectal defect was closed or left open. Patients were discharged after 3.4 (1-21) days. At a median follow-up of 12.8 (2-29) months, the continence was normal (Vaizey score of 1.5; 0-16).

CONCLUSION

Transanal rectal resection can be safely and efficiently performed by means of a SILS port and standard laparoscopic instruments. The rectal defect may be left open and at 1 year continence is not compromised.

A systematic review of transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) from 2010 to 2013

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) was introduced as an alternative to transanal endoscopic microsurgery in 2010. Over the past 4 years, considerable international experience has been gained with this approach. Most published reports focus on TAMIS for local excision of rectal neoplasia, but there are other important applications such as transanal mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. This comprehensive review details the progress with TAMIS since its inception. Robotic transanal surgery is a natural evolution of TAMIS still in its early infancy, which is also reviewed. A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Knowledge was performed. Since the inception of TAMIS in 2009, 33 retrospective studies and case reports, and 3 abstracts have been published on TAMIS for local excision of rectal neoplasms, which represents a combined n = 390 TAMIS procedures performed worldwide using eight different types of TAMIS platforms. A total of 152 lesions were excised for benign disease including adenomas and high-grade dysplasias (39 %), 209 for malignancy for carcinomas in situ and adenocarcinomas (53.5 %). Twenty-nine (7.5 %) of TAMIS resections were for other pathology, of which the majority (23/29) were neuroendocrine lesions. The remaining resections were for mucocele, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, melanoma, and fibrosis. Robotic-TAMIS has also been reported, however, data are extremely limited as there are only 7 case reports (combined n = 11) in the published literature. Success with Robotic-TAMIS has been demonstrated with various patient positions and by use of a special glove port. Transanal total mesorectal excision using the TAMIS platform has also been demonstrated is several small series, and the feasibility of performing pure transanal total mesorectal excision has also been reported. Combined, n = 78 cases of transanal total mesorectal excision have been performed using TAMIS. The advantages of TAMIS-assisted transanal total mesorectal excision are discussed.

A systematic review of transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) from 2010 to 2013

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) was introduced as an alternative to transanal endoscopic microsurgery in 2010. Over the past 4 years, considerable international experience has been gained with this approach. Most published reports focus on TAMIS for local excision of rectal neoplasia, but there are other important applications such as transanal mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. This comprehensive review details the progress with TAMIS since its inception. Robotic transanal surgery is a natural evolution of TAMIS still in its early infancy, which is also reviewed. A comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Knowledge was performed. Since the inception of TAMIS in 2009, 33 retrospective studies and case reports, and 3 abstracts have been published on TAMIS for local excision of rectal neoplasms, which represents a combined n = 390 TAMIS procedures performed worldwide using eight different types of TAMIS platforms. A total of 152 lesions were excised for benign disease including adenomas and high-grade dysplasias (39 %), 209 for malignancy for carcinomas in situ and adenocarcinomas (53.5 %). Twenty-nine (7.5 %) of TAMIS resections were for other pathology, of which the majority (23/29) were neuroendocrine lesions. The remaining resections were for mucocele, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, melanoma, and fibrosis. Robotic-TAMIS has also been reported, however, data are extremely limited as there are only 7 case reports (combined n = 11) in the published literature. Success with Robotic-TAMIS has been demonstrated with various patient positions and by use of a special glove port. Transanal total mesorectal excision using the TAMIS platform has also been demonstrated is several small series, and the feasibility of performing pure transanal total mesorectal excision has also been reported. Combined, n = 78 cases of transanal total mesorectal excision have been performed using TAMIS. The advantages of TAMIS-assisted transanal total mesorectal excision are discussed.

Which treatment for large rectal adenoma? Preoperative assessment and therapeutic strategy

In the present review the authors discuss the standard ways of preoperative work-up for a suspected large rectal non-invasive lesion, comparing East and West different attitudes both in staging and treatment. Looking at the literature and analyzing recent personal data, neither pit-pattern classification, nor EUS, nor biopsy histology, nor lifting sign verification, nor digital examination allow a specificity of more than three fourth of such cases. The authors disquisition about which optimal treatment excludes a role for EMR for the impossibility to obtain a single en-bloc specimen, minimum requirement for a correct lateral and vertical margin assessment. For the same reason ESD should be preferred, although a recent meta-analysis of the literature defined that one fourth of patients undergoing ESD for a preoperatively assessed non-invasive large rectal lesion fail to receive an R0 en-bloc resection. This forces about 10% of patients treated by flexible endoscopy to undergo abdominal surgery, which is about fourfold higher than TEM. While awaiting further implementation of modern technologies both to improve staging and to reduce invasiveness, a full-thickness excision of the rectal wall by TEM still represents the standard treatment even for suspected benign diseases.

TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) with SILS™ port versus Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM): a comparative experimental study

BACKGROUND

TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) has been proposed as an alternative to Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) for resection of benign polyps and early cancers of rectum. Since clinical application has begun in the absence of any experimental validation, we assessed its feasibility and efficacy ex vivo in a pilot study.

METHODS

In a dedicated trainer box for transanal procedures, 10 surgeons with no experience in transanal surgery were asked to perform a dissection/suture task using both TAMIS and TEM in randomly allocated order. Surgeons were asked to dissect two identically drawn lesions of ~3 cm in larger diameter. Precision of dissection was assessed using a quantitative photographic method, while the time needed for dissection and suturing was considered a measure of quantitative evaluation. Each participant expressed a subjective opinion regarding difficulty with dissection, difficulty with suturing, vision quality, and conflict between instruments on a scale from 1 to 5.

RESULTS

No difference was observed between the two techniques regarding the accuracy of dissection as the margin was interrupted along 4.1 % of the circumference in the TEM group compared with 2.48 % in the SILS group (P = 0.271). Dissection and suturing were significantly quicker in the TEM group [04:30 vs. 06:35 min (P = 0.049) and 14:34 versus 19:18 min (P = 0.003)]. In three cases in the SILS group, completing the suture was not considered possible, and the procedures were terminated by TEM. Subjective evaluation revealed a better appreciation of TEM in all proposed comparisons: dissection (2.6 vs. 3.5, P = 0.004), suturing difficulty (3.1 vs. 4.6, P < 0.001), quality of vision (2.3 vs. 2.8, P = 0.18), and instrument conflicts (3.1 vs. 4.0, P = 0.054).

CONCLUSIONS

In the ex vivo setting, both techniques were comparable for achieving a good dissection, although TAMIS failed to prove effective in suturing the rectal wall. Moreover, TEM was significantly quicker despite the small groups and was better appreciated by the surgeons.