PURPOSE: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive technique for full-thickness excision of benign and malignant rectal neoplasms located 4 to 24 cm above the anal verge. Entrance into the peritoneal cavity during TEM has been regarded as a complication that mandates conversion to open laparotomy for adequate repair of the defect. This study compares the rate of complications arising from TEM with and without intraperitoneal entry. METHODS: Patients undergoing peritoneal entry were compared to those who did not. RESULTS: No perioperative deaths occurred. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications. No major complications occurred with peritoneal entry, and all peritoneal entries were closed transanally via endoscope. CONCLUSIONS: Entry into the peritoneum during TEM is not associated with an increased incidence of complication. Entry into the peritoneum during TEM excision does not mandate conversion to open laparotomy but may be safely repaired endoscopically. Lesions likely to be above the peritoneal reflection and within reach of the endoscope (4 to 24 cm) should be considered for TEM excision.
PURPOSE: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive technique for full-thickness excision of benign and malignant rectal neoplasms located 4 to 24 cm above the anal verge. Entrance into the peritoneal cavity during TEM has been regarded as a complication that mandates conversion to open laparotomy for adequate repair of the defect. This study compares the rate of complications arising from TEM with and without intraperitoneal entry. METHODS:Patients undergoing peritoneal entry were compared to those who did not. RESULTS: No perioperative deaths occurred. There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications. No major complications occurred with peritoneal entry, and all peritoneal entries were closed transanally via endoscope. CONCLUSIONS: Entry into the peritoneum during TEM is not associated with an increased incidence of complication. Entry into the peritoneum during TEM excision does not mandate conversion to open laparotomy but may be safely repaired endoscopically. Lesions likely to be above the peritoneal reflection and within reach of the endoscope (4 to 24 cm) should be considered for TEM excision.
Authors: Hemanga K Bhattacharjee; Gerhard F Buess; Francisco Cesar Becerra Garcia; Pirmin Storz; Mousumi Sharma; Sidonia Susanu; Andreas Kirschniak; Mahesh C Misra Journal: Surg Endosc Date: 2010-12-07 Impact factor: 4.584
Authors: Patricia Sylla; Field F Willingham; Dae K Sohn; Denise Gee; William R Brugge; David W Rattner Journal: J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2008-08-13 Impact factor: 3.452