Quality of life after rectal cancer surgery: differences between laparoscopic and transanal total mesorectal excision.

BACKGROUND: Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is a safe alternative to laparoscopic TME for mid and low rectal cancer. TaTME allows improved visualization of the surgical planes and margins, and may potentially improve oncological outcomes. However, functional results after total mesorectal excision (TME) are variable and there are currently only a few published studies that include functional data related to the outcomes of TaTME. METHODS: Fifty-four consecutive patients were included in this study: one group included 27 patients who underwent laparoscopic low anterior and the other included 27 patients who underwent TaTME. All patients were asked to complete five questionnaires related to quality of life (QOL) and function [EQ-5D-3L, EORTC-QLQ C30, EORTC-QLQ C29, Low Anterior Resection Syndrome score (LARS), and International Prostate Symptom Score IPSS]. All TaTME patients were operated on at The Gelderse Vallei Hospital by a single surgeon and had a follow-up of at least 6.6 months. RESULTS: The EORTC-QLQ C30 and EQ-5D-3L questionnaires showed comparable outcomes in terms of QOL between the two groups. Almost all items evaluated by the EORTC-QLQ C29, including sexual outcomes, were similar between the two groups. One item concerning fecal incontinence, however, was scored worse for TaTME. There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of LARS symptoms or urinary function. CONCLUSIONS: Patients undergoing laparoscopic or transanal TME showed comparable functional and QOL outcomes. Although the TaTME technique is still evolving, this study indicates that this technique is a safe alternative to laparoscopic surgery in terms of functional outcomes for mid and low rectal cancers.

[Application of flexible transanal port for excision of rectal tumours]. / Toepassing flexibele toegangspoort voor excisie rectumtumoren.

In 2010 the first report of the application of the flexible transanal port ('operation platform') for the excision of rectal tumours was published. Due to the enhanced vision it provides, adenomas and small malignant rectal tumours can be radically resected with significantly fewer recurrences than with endoscopic mucosal resection or transanal excisions done without this platform. The application of this platform is cheaper and more intuitive than transanal endoscopic microsurgery, while the quality of the local resection, the risk of postoperative complications and the functional and oncological outcomes all appear to be comparable. This is the reason that this flexible platform is now in use in most Dutch hospitals. The flexible port has led to an increase in rectum-sparing treatment for low-risk T1 rectal carcinoma. Nowadays, this platform is also used for the transanal approach during radical rectal surgery for high-risk rectal carcinomas and for rectal operations in patients with benign conditions in the pelvis minor such as severe endometriosis or Crohn's disease.

Intra-abdominal bacterial contamination in TAMIS total mesorectal excision for rectal carcinoma: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is currently gaining a lot of attention. NOTES is expected to further reduce surgical trauma and improve patient care due to eliminating abdominal incisions. The interest in transrectal NOTES has grown slowly, because of concerns of bacterial contamination due to transection of the rectum at the start of the procedure. However, different studies already demonstrated that transanal TME (TaTME) can be performed without major complications. This prospective study focuses on the presence and clinical significance of peritoneal bacterial contamination after TaTME for rectal cancer. METHODS: Three bacterial cultures were taken at standardized locations from the pelvic area after completion of the TaTME procedure and before closure of the incisional wounds. The cultures were evaluated for bacterial count and species identification. Furthermore, C-reactive protein and white blood cell count were measured perioperatively, and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: Twenty-three consecutive patients were included between July 2013 and December 2014. Thirty-nine percent (9/23) of the cultures showed gastrointestinal flora. Four of these patients (44 %) developed presacral abscesses. The remaining 61 % (14/23) of the cultures were negative. None of these patients developed infectious complications. CONCLUSION: Transanal TME procedures are associated with positive cultures in more than one-third of the patients. In these patients, postoperative locoregional infectious complications are more common.