Combined transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) with laparoscopic instruments and abdominal robotic surgery in rectal cancer.

Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer can be technically challenging. We describe a hybrid technique combining abdominal robotic dissection and transanal total mesorectal excision. This procedure was performed in a 50-year-old man with rectal adenocarcinoma at 5 cm from the dentate lane. Preoperative staging was T2N0M0. Surgery went well without complications, and estimated blood loss was less than 50 mL. Robotic surgical time was 90 min, and total operative time was 160 min. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. Pathology analysis revealed an intact mesorectum (TME grade 3) and a T2N0 tumor with negative margins. Hybrid surgery with pelvic robotic dissection and transanal total mesorectal excision was feasible, quick and safe in this patient and may be a method that can be developed further.

Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for rectal cancer: Step by step description of the surgical technique for a two-teams approach.

Interest in transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is growing worldwide due to the application of minimally invasive techniques to rectal cancer surgery while maintaining adequate oncologic outcomes. This article presents the standardised and refined technique after performing more than 300 operations at Hospital Clinic of Barcelona.