UNLABELLED: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive technique for excision of selected benign and malignant rectal neoplasmas. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term results after benign and malignant rectal lesions excision using TEM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between December 1998 and October 2005 37 patients were operated on using TEM. Median follow-up was 3.5 years (range 1-5 years). There were 9 (33.3%) women and 18 (66.7%) men with a median patient age of 75 years (range 38-83 years). 27 patients were included into this study. RESULTS: One patient has still incontinent. There have been two local recurrences and liver metastasis in one patient. Two patients have had stricture of the rectum. One patient died because of heart attack. 21 (77.7%) of patients were satisfied with treatment. CONCLUSION: TEM is a safe, effective treatment for selected cases of benign lesions and some cases of early stage rectal cancer. Long-term results and a prospective randomized trial are needed.
UNLABELLED: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimally invasive technique for excision of selected benign and malignant rectal neoplasmas. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term results after benign and malignant rectal lesions excision using TEM. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between December 1998 and October 2005 37 patients were operated on using TEM. Median follow-up was 3.5 years (range 1-5 years). There were 9 (33.3%) women and 18 (66.7%) men with a median patient age of 75 years (range 38-83 years). 27 patients were included into this study. RESULTS: One patient has still incontinent. There have been two local recurrences and liver metastasis in one patient. Two patients have had stricture of the rectum. One patient died because of heart attack. 21 (77.7%) of patients were satisfied with treatment. CONCLUSION: TEM is a safe, effective treatment for selected cases of benign lesions and some cases of early stage rectal cancer. Long-term results and a prospective randomized trial are needed.