Laparoscopic anterior resection with transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: preliminary experience and impact on postoperative bowel function.

AIM: Transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) and the "down-to-up" mobilization concept might be possible alternatives to the standard TME, particularly in cases of narrow pelvis or bulky tumors in obese patients. Our aim was to test the feasibility and safety of transanal TME and to evaluate its impact on short-term functional outcome. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Six consecutive patients with histologically proven low/middle rectal adenocarcinoma were prospectively enrolled. All patients underwent laparoscopic anterior resection with transanal TME. Intraoperative complications, postoperative morbidity, and oncologic adequacy of the surgical specimen were evaluated in all patients. A bowel function questionnaire using information from the Wexner's score continence grading scale was administered to all patients 1 week before surgery and 6 months following operation.
RESULTS: Laparoscopically assisted transanal TME was successful in all patients. Mean operative time was 236 minutes (range, 200-270 minutes). There were no intraoperative complications. The anastomotic leak rate was 16.6%. Clear distal and circumferential margins and proper lymphadenectomy were obtained in all surgical specimens (mean number of nodes harvested, 32; range, 19-68). In no patients was a major incontinence observed; the median (range) Wexner score at 6 months after surgery was 3 (1-7).
CONCLUSIONS: Transanal TME is safe and feasible. Preliminary outcomes meet oncologic criteria. Moreover, the transanal approach does not have an adverse impact on functional outcome. Further long-term evaluation of results and clinical trials should be performed.