Tailored Management with Highly-Selective Diversion for Low Colorectal Anastomosis: Biochemical Postoperative Follow-Up and Long-Term Results from a Single-Institution Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Defunctioning stoma (DS) can decrease the rate of symptomatic anastomotic leakage (AL). Since 2010, we have used tailored, highly selective DS management for low colorectal anastomosis (LCRA). METHODS: In total, 433 rectal cancer patients underwent the same standardized procedure. Non-stoma (NS) management was used in patients with no surgical difficulties as well as good colonic preparation and quality of anastomoses. In all other cases, DS was used. C-reactive protein was measured during postoperative follow-up. Imbalance in the initial population was adjusted using propensity-score matching according to sex, age, body mass index, tumor location, and American Society of Anesthesiologists score. Rate of AL within 30 days, 5-year overall survival, local relapse-free survival, and disease-free survival were recorded. RESULTS: Anastomosis was mostly ultra-low and was performed equally by laparoscopy or robotic surgery. The overall rate of AL was 13.4%, with no significant differences between groups (DS, 12.2%; NS, 14.6%; p = 0.575). Operative time, blood loss, and hospital stay were significantly lower for NS patients. The rate of secondary stoma was 11.4% overall. Pathological results were similar, with a 98% R0 resection rate. With a median follow-up of 5.5 years for the NS and DS groups, the overall survival was 84.9% and 73.4%, respectively (p = 0.064), disease-free survival was 67.0% and 55.8%, respectively (p = 0.095), and local relapse-free survival was 95.2% and 88.7%, respectively (p = 0.084). The long-term, stoma-free rate was 89.1% overall. CONCLUSIONS: Tailoring DS for LCRA seems safe and could provide potential benefits in postoperative morbidity with the same long-term oncological results in NS patients. Prospective, multicentric studies should validate this approach.

Perioperative FOLFOX in Patients With Locally Advanced Oesogastric Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that perioperative FOLFOX (5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, oxaliplatin) might be used as an alternative to standard FLOT (docetaxel, 5-fluorouracil, leucovorin, and oxaliplatin) in patients with locally advanced oesogastric adenocarcinomas (OGA), particularly those with frailties. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We reviewed the charts of 61 consecutives patients treated with FOLFOX for resectable OGA to estimate overall survival, recurrence-free survival, and safety. RESULTS: The median follow-up was 69.7 (range=3.6-97.9) months. Few patients experienced grade 3 adverse events during the preoperative (n=6; 10%) and postoperative (n=6; 16%) phases. One patient experienced a fatal grade 5 adverse events (cardiogenic shock). Median overall survival was 51.7 months [95% confidence interval (CI)=31.6-93.2 months] and the 5-year survival rate was 44.4% (95% CI=30.3%-57.5%). CONCLUSION: Regarding its comparable efficacy and its favourable toxicity profile, perioperative FOLFOX is a reasonable alternative to FLOT for frail patients with resectable OGA.

Worldwide Techniques and Outcomes in Robot-assisted Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy (RAMIE): Results From the Multicenter International Registry.

OBJECTIVE: This international multicenter study by the Upper GI International Robotic Association aimed to gain insight in current techniques and outcomes of RAMIE worldwide. BACKGROUND: Current evidence for RAMIE originates from single-center studies, which may not be generalizable to the international multicenter experience. METHODS: Twenty centers from Europe, Asia, North-America, and South-America participated from 2016 to 2019. Main endpoints included the surgical techniques, clinical outcomes, and early oncological results of ramie. RESULTS: A total of 856 patients undergoing transthoracic RAMIE were included. Robotic surgery was applied for both the thoracic and abdominal phase (45%), only the thoracic phase (49%), or only the abdominal phase (6%). In most cases, the mediastinal lymphadenectomy included the low paraesophageal nodes (n=815, 95%), subcarinal nodes (n = 774, 90%), and paratracheal nodes (n = 537, 63%). When paratracheal lymphadenectomy was performed during an Ivor Lewis or a McKeown RAMIE procedure, recurrent laryngeal nerve injury occurred in 3% and 11% of patients, respectively. Circular stapled (52%), hand-sewn (30%), and linear stapled (18%) anastomotic techniques were used. In Ivor Lewis RAMIE, robot-assisted hand-sewing showed the highest anastomotic leakage rate (33%), while lower rates were observed with circular stapling (17%) and linear stapling (15%). In McKeown RAMIE, a hand-sewn anastomotic technique showed the highest leakage rate (27%), followed by linear stapling (18%) and circular stapling (6%). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to provide an overview of the current techniques and outcomes of transthoracic RAMIE worldwide. Although these results indicate high quality of the procedure, the optimal approach should be further defined.

Robotic Radical Hysterectomy for Cervical Adenocarcinoma after Preoperative Brachytherapy in 10 Steps.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: Minimally invasive surgery decreases postoperative morbidity after radical hysterectomy (RH) for early-stage cervical cancer. However, a randomized trial and large retrospective data question its safety after observing lower rates of survival than open surgery [1,2]. The causes of this higher recurrence rate are not definitely established but may result from cancer exposure to the peritoneum during vaginal section and cancerous cells' spillage enhanced by pneumoperitoneum or a uterine manipulator. The aim of this surgical video was to present a standardized step-by-step approach for robotic RH according to the recent recommendations from the ARCAGY -Group of National Investigators for the Study of Ovarian and Breast Cancers surgeon's group [3]. DESIGN: Step-by-step video demonstration of the technique. SETTING: Tertiary center specialized in gynecologic oncology and minimally invasive surgery. INTERVENTIONS: A 48-year-old woman was diagnosed with a stage IB2 endocervical adenocarcinoma (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics 2018) with a tumor size of 27 mm. Surgery was planned after preoperative pulsed dose rate uterovaginal brachytherapy. Surgery was performed following 10 reproducible steps: • Pelvic sentinel node identification according to the SENTICOL-III trial • Right infundibulopelvic and round ligaments transection • Right uterine vessels transection • Parametrectomy • Right uterosacral ligament transection • Bladder mobilization • Identical left dissection • Rectovaginal space development • Colpectomy by vaginal route after complete pneumoperitoneum exsufflation • Robotic vaginal cuff closure and pelvic inspection Thorough robotically assisted vaginal cuff closure was carried out as a comparative study suggesting that abdominal closure may decrease vaginal complications and dehiscence [3]. CONCLUSION: No international recommendations for the RH approach have yet been endorsed. Patients must be clearly informed about the benefit-risk ratio of the surgical route. If a minimally invasive RH is still decided, the patient should be referred to experienced centers, and precautionary measures must be implemented [4]. Colpotomy by vaginal route without pneumoperitoneum is recommended. Uterine manipulators have to be strictly avoided. Preoperative brachytherapy has been reported in experienced centers in France with favorable histologic response with high rates of pathologic complete response (near 70%) and seems particularly worthwhile for tumor sizes ranging from 2 to 4 cm or presenting with lymphovascular invasion [5].

Distal Pancreatectomy with Celiac Axis Resection (Modified Appleby Procedure) and Arterial Reconstruction for Locally Advanced Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma After FOLFIRINOX Chemotherapy and Chemoradiation Therapy.

BACKGROUND: Resectability of pancreatic carcinoma (PC) is directly linked to vascular extension (Tempero MA et al. in J Natl Compr Canc Netw 15(8):1028-1061, 2017. https://doi.org/10.6004/jnccn.2017.0131 ; Isaji S et al. in Pancreatology 18(1):2-11, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pan.2017.11.011 ). Involvement of the celiac axis (CA) is typically a contraindication to surgery. High postoperative morbidity and subsequent poor prognosis have been observed in this case, especially for contact > 180° requiring arterial resection (Tempero MA et al. 2017). Recent medical advances in PC treatment, such as FOLFIRINOX-based chemotherapy eventually followed by chemoradiation therapy, offer the potential to select tumour for surgery and to obtain a negative-margin resection even in case of unresectable PC at diagnosis (Suker M et al. in Lancet Oncol 17(6):801-10, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1470-2045(16)00172-8 ; Pietrasz D et al. in Ann Surg Oncol 26(1):109-117, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1245/s10434-018-6931-6 ). A major pathologic response has been observed in more than 20% of patients after this treatment and is associated with an improved survival (Suker M et al. 2016; Pietrasz D et al. 2019). This evolution allows aggressive surgical strategies with the possibility of long-term disease control for patients showing a good response to induction treatment. PATIENT: This video presents the case of a 66-year-old man diagnosed with a locally advanced ductal adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic body with a 360° involvement of the CA and the hepatic artery. After eight courses of FOLFIRINOX chemotherapy and a capecitabin-based chemoradiation, a surgical exploration was planned for potential resection. TECHNIQUE: The key steps of the procedure are presented, i.e. surgical exposition, assessment of resectability with frozen sections of peri-arterial tissues, en bloc resection (Strasberg SM et al. in Surgery 133(5):521-527, 2003. https://doi.org/10.1067/msy.2003.146 ), and primary end-to-end arterial reconstruction. CONCLUSION: A modified Appleby operation for locally advanced PC is a technically challenging but feasible procedure in experienced teams. It offers the possibility of en bloc R0 resection of a locally advanced PC with the potential of long-term disease local control. This video may help surgeons to perform this complex intervention.

Conditional Probability of Survival and Prognostic Factors in Long-Term Survivors of High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer.

Objective: High-grade serous ovarian cancers (HGSOC) are heterogeneous, often diagnosed at an advanced stage, and associated with poor overall survival (OS, 39% at five years). There are few data about the prognostic factors of late relapses in HGSOC patients who survived ≥five years, long-term survivors (LTS). The aim of our study is to assess the probability of survival according to the already survived time from diagnosis. Methods: Data from HGSOC patients treated between 1995 and 2016 were retrospectively collected to estimate the conditional probability of survival (CPS), probability of surviving Y years after diagnosis when the patient had already survived X years, and to determine the LTS prognostic factors. The primary endpoint was OS. Results: 404 patients were included; 120 of them were LTS. Patients were aged 61 years (range: 20-89), WHO performance status 0-1 in 86.9% and 2 in 13.1%, and Fédération Internationale de Gynécologie et d'Obstétrique (FIGO) staging III and IV in 82.7% and 17.3% patients. Breast cancer (BRCA) status was available in 116 patients (33% mutated), including 58 LTS (36% mutated). No macroscopic residual disease was observed in 58.4% patients. First-line platinum-based chemotherapy plus paclitaxel was administered in 80.4% of patients (median: six cycles (range: 1-14)). After a 9 point 3-year follow-up, median OS was four years (95% CI: 3.6-4.5). The CPS at five years after surviving one year was 42.8% (95% CI: 35.3-48.3); it increased to 81.7% (95% CI: 75.5-87.8) after four survived years. Progression-free interval>18 months was the only LTS prognostic factor in the multivariable analysis (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.23; 95% CI: 0.13-0.40; p < 0.001). Conclusion: The CPS provided relevant and encouraging clinical information on the life expectancy of HGSOC patients who already survived a period of time after diagnosis. LTS prognostic factors are useful for clinicians and patients.

Intraoperative partial irradiation for highly selected patients with breast cancer: Results of the INTRAOBS prospective study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate our long-term experience on one-day breast intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) given as sole radiation treatment to selected patients with breast cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Inclusion criteria of INTRAOBS study (prospective observational study) were: ER+ T1N0 unifocal ductal carcinoma; absence of lymphovascular invasion or of extensive intraductal component (Scarff-Bloom-Richardson grade III and HER2+++ excluded). Two different linacs were used (20Gy/1 fraction): one dedicated electron linac (

[Does the FLOT regimen a new standard of perioperative chemotherapy for localized gastric cancer?] / Le protocole FLOT est-il le nouveau standard de chimiothérapie péri-opératoire des cancers de l'estomac ?

FLOT-4 study recently reports that in patients with gastric cancer, perioperative chemotherapy with 5-fluorouracile, leucovorin, oxaliplatin and docetaxel (FLOT regimen) increases survival over standard ECF/ECX regimen (epirubicine, cisplatine and 5-fluorouracile [or capecitabine]). Does this study, make FLOT a new standard of perioperative chemotherapy for localized gastric cancer? Seven hundred and sixteen patients were included into that randomized study. Thirty seven per cent and 46% of the patients received the full planned treatment in the ECF/ECX group and in the FLOT group, respectively. The primary aim of FLOT-4 was met as FLOT significantly reduced the relative risk of death vs. ECF/ECX (HR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.63-0.94; P=0.012). Median survival is increased by 15 months with FLOT (50 months vs. 35 months). FLOT also provided better complete resection rates, better complete pathological response rates, and better disease-free survival than ECF/ECX. FLOT is more likely associated with the following adverse events: diarrheas, leuco-neutropenia (including 51% of severe ones), infections (including 18% of severe ones), and peripheral neuropathy. On the contrary, ECF/ECX provided more likely severe nausea and vomiting, severe anemia, and thromboembolic events. Overall, the number of patients with related serious adverse events (including those that occurred during hospital stay for surgery) was similar in the two groups, as was the number of toxic deaths and postoperative deaths. FLOT should be regarded as the recommended perioperative chemotherapy for patients with gastric cancer or adenocarcinoma of the gastro-esophageal junction. However, some doubts remain as regards of its use in the daily practice for unselected patients.

Clinical implications of CTNNA1 germline mutations in asymptomatic carriers.

In 2017, we implemented CTNNA1 germline analysis in probands suspected of having hereditary diffuse gastric cancer. Here, we report the results from a retrospective series of 41 cases, including the identification of a new family with a CTNNA1 mutation and the first prophylactic total gastrectomy in an asymptomatic carrier after a normal upper endoscopy. Diffuse gastric cancer foci with loss of catenin alpha-1 expression were seen in the resected tissue, suggesting that CTNNA1 and CDH1 germline mutations behave in a similar manner. Life-changing prophylactic total gastrectomy should therefore also be considered in CTNNA1 mutation carriers.

Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Total Mesorectal Excision for Sphincter-Saving Surgery: Results of a Single-Center Series of 400 Consecutive Patients and Perspectives.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to compare robotic total mesorectal excision (R-TME) with laparoscopic TME (L-TME) in a series of consecutive rectal cancer patients. BACKGROUND: R-TME and L-TME have drawn contradictory reports. A recent phase III trial (ROLARR) concluded that R-TME performed by surgeons with varying experience did not confer an advantage in rectal cancer resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this retrospective single-center cohort study (8/2008 to 4/2015), data were prospectively registered. A total of 200 L-TME and 200 R-TME were operated consecutively without selection. The primary outcome was the conversion rate to open laparotomy or transanal TME. The secondary endpoints were type of anastomosis, operative time, postoperative morbidity, circumferential radial (CRM) and distal margins, quality of life, bladder and sexual dysfunction, and oncological outcomes. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were well balanced. Type of anastomosis [colo-anal anastomosis (CAA) 40% vs 49%; p < 0.001], transanal TME (5% vs 13%; p = 0.005), and conversion rate (2% vs 9.5%; odd ratio (OR): 0.19 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.05-0.60]) were significantly different. Intersphincteric resection (39% vs 47%), diverting stoma (66.5% vs 68%), CRM involvement, median operative time (243 vs 232 min), and R0 resection rate were similar. Conversion risk was lower for R-TME in male patients and those with small tumors (< 5 cm). The 3-year overall survival rate was 84.1% [77.3-88.9%] and 88.4% [82.9-92.2%] in the R-TME and L-TME group. No significant differences were reported in quality of life, and urinary or sexual function. CONCLUSIONS: R-TME is less likely to be converted to open surgery than L-TME; operative time and curative pathologic criteria are equivalent. Future prospective trial should compare standardized procedures performed by experienced surgeons for subgroups of high-risk patients.

[Not Available]. / Jusqu'où aller dans la désescalade thérapeutique en chirurgie du cancer du sein infiltrant : contre la désescalade.

THERAPEUTIC DE-ESCALATION IN BREAST CANCER SURGERY: CONS: Therapeutic de-escalation in breast cancer surgery is not recommanded for all patients. Concerning the axillary management, there are still some contraindications for practicing sentinel node, and avoiding axillary dissection is not safe for more than 3 positive sentinel nodes and in the absence of adjuvant treatment. Mastectomy can also be preferred by patients rather than conservative surgery, especially in case of genetic mutation, or for oncological reasons. Larger glandular resections, known as oncoplasties, should also be chosen in case of associated ductal carcinoma in situ and risky subgroups of local recurrence after neoadjuvant therapy. Finally, all patients will not benefit from ambulatory surgery.

Robotic Versus Laparoscopic Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) for Sphincter-Saving Surgery: Is There Any Difference in the Transanal TME Rectal Approach? : A Single-Center Series of 120 Consecutive Patients.

BACKGROUND: Robotic total mesorectal excision (R-TME), a novel way for minimally invasive treatment of rectal cancer, was shown in previous studies to be safe and effective. However, comparison with laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (L-TME) has drawn contradictory disputes, especially concerning operative high-risk patients. The aim of this study was to compare R-TME and L-TME on the rectal technical approach. METHODS: Between October 2009 and March 2013, a total of 120 consecutive rectal carcinomas, operated for sphincter-saving procedure, were enrolled. The patient population included the last 60 laparoscopic procedures and the first 60 robotic surgeries (six hybrid approaches, then 54 full robotic surgeries). There were no exclusions. RESULTS: Patients' baseline characteristics were similar in both the R-TME and L-TME groups. Outcomes were equivalent for blood loss (200 vs. 100 mL), postoperative hospital stay (12 vs. 11 days), conversion rate (3.2 vs. 4.8 %), lymph nodes yield (15 vs. 19), no positive distal margin (0 %), positive radial margin (6.4 vs. 9.3 %), diverting ileostomy (73 vs. 58 %) and severe morbidity (28 vs. 20 %). Significant differences were found for median operative time (274 vs. 228 min; p = 0.003) and proctectomy performed via transanal approach (1.7 vs. 16.7 %; p = 0.004). The R-TME operative time curve stabilized to 245 min after the first 25 procedures. CONCLUSIONS: For rectal cancer, R-TME may be as feasible and safe as L-TME in terms of technique. In our practice and for difficult cases, R-TME allows complete rectal dissection by an abdominal approach, while L-TME requires a transanal approach.

Standardized single docking, four arms and fully robotic proctectomy for rectal cancer: the key points are the ports and arms placement.

Rectal cancer continues to be a surgical challenge. As more technology is developed, the surgeon must both incorporate this new technology into his practice and, at the same time, keep improving oncologic surgery and overall outcomes. We describe a standardized approach and fully robotic proctectomy, using four arms and one single docking (SI system). Patient cart and ports placement, as well as arms position to avoid collision, are key points to perform the entire procedure with one single docking. Although the place of robotic surgery might still need to be defined, standardizing the procedures is a step towards its evaluation. We propose with this report a solution to perform a single docking four arms robotic proctectomy.

Oncoplastic Resection of Breast Cancers Located in the Lower-Inner or Lower-Outer Quadrant with the Modified McKissock Mammaplasty Technique.

BACKGROUND: Oncoplastic surgery for breast cancer (BC) may result in postoperative morbidity that can delay adjuvant treatment(s). The McKissock procedure is a reliable mammaplasty technique used in plastic surgery. The authors present their experiences in using a derived technique for the oncoplastic resection of extended malignancies located in the lower-inner (LIQ) or lower-outer (LOQ) breast quadrants. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2014, operative data of 25 patients receiving an oncoplastic resection for invasive BC or ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), using the modified McKissock procedure, were recorded. This technique conserved a bipedicle dermoglandular flap to improve the nipple-areola complex blood supply. Oncological and cosmetic results, as well as aesthetic outcomes and patients' satisfaction, were analyzed. RESULTS: Invasive BCs (n = 21) and DCIS (n = 4) were located in the LIQ (n = 18) or LOQ (n = 7). The median age of patients was 62 years (range 34-85), the mean resection weight was 134 g (range 43-314), and the global morbidity rate was 12 %. No nipple necrosis occurred in these patients. Free margins were obtained in 22 cases (88 %) and the secondary mastectomy rate was 8 %. Contralateral symmetrization was performed, or was required, in the majority of cases (17/23). Cosmetic results were classified as excellent or good in 93 % of patients, and the median satisfaction rate on a visual analog scale was 9.6. CONCLUSION: The modified McKissock procedure allows wide resection of cancers located in the LOQ or LIQ, and produced favorable postoperative outcomes and cosmetic results despite important resection weights.

[Breast surgeon role in the management of high-risk breast lesions]. / Quelle prise en charge chirurgicale pour "les lésions à haut risque" de cancer du sein?

Diagnostics of high-risk breast lesions have increased these last years with the augmentation of breast percutaneous biopsies. They are lesions that confer an enlarged risk of breast cancer, either because of an increased probability of finding cancer after open surgery, a possible evolution toward in situ or invasive cancer, or because of an increased probability of developing breast cancer over the long term. Much progress has been made these last years in their histological diagnostic, classification and pathogenesis. Nevertheless, no consensus exists to date on the management of these "high-risk" lesions. In particular, surgical indications and follow-up modalities remain controversial for each histological type. In this review, the principal factors that could impact surgical decision and long-term follow-up are discussed with areas of controversy highlighted.

[Lymph node dissection: what for? From esophagus to rectum: surgical and lymph node related prognostic factors]. / De l'œsophage au rectum: les facteurs pronostiques ganglionnaires et chirurgicaux.

Surgery has still a key role in curative treatment of digestive carcinomas, and for almost all localisations, lymph node status is a major prognostic factor. As far as oesophageal and gastric cancer are concerned, there is not yet any internationally standardized approach. Occidental guidelines recommend more limited lymph node dissections than Asiatic ones. Lymph node numbers requested during surgery of such cancers remain high, at least 23 lymph nodes for oesophageal cancer, and 25 for a D2 or D1.5 lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer. Generalisation of neo-adjuvant and adjuvant treatments has not yet modified these standards. On the other hand, rectal cancer surgery is well standardized since the global adoption of Total Mesorectal Excision (TME) for the late eighties. Development of mini-invasive techniques (laparoscopy and robot-assisted surgery) enabled an important decrease of surgery related morbidity as well as an enhanced post-operative recovery. However, rectal cancer surgery still has an important morbidity. Development of neo-adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy as well as in-depth knowledge of risk factor of lymph node invasion opened up the path for transanal full thickness resection without lymphadenectomy. The goal of such an approach is to avoid TME's morbidity without risking local recurrence rate increase. As a consequence, this technique might need to be completed with a TME case histological factors are not favorable.

[Loco-regional treatments of the metastatic sites for patients with pauci-metastatic cutaneous melanoma (without brain metastasis): French national guidelines]. / Traitements locorégionaux des sites métastatiques chez des patients atteints d'un mélanome pauci-métastatique (hors métastase cérébrale) : recommandations nationales françaises.

INTRODUCTION: The last years are marked by the emergence of new molecules for the treatment of metastatic cutaneous melanoma with a significant benefit on the survival. Besides, some techniques are in development for the loco-regional treatment of the metastatic sites, bringing new therapeutic perspectives. However, their respective use and place in the therapeutic strategy are debated by healthcare professionals. OBJECTIVE: The French National Cancer Institute leads a national clinical practice guidelines project since 2008. It realized a review of these modalities of treatment and developed recommendations. METHODS: The clinical practice guidelines development process is based on systematic literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary expert workgroup. The recommendations are thus based on the best available evidence and expert agreement. Prior to publication, the guidelines are reviewed by independent practitioners in cancer care delivery. RESULTS: This article presents recommendations for loco-regional treatments of the pulmonary, bone, cutaneous, hepatic and digestive metastatic sites for patients with pauci-metastatic cutaneous melanoma.

Transanal endoscopic proctectomy: an innovative procedure for difficult resection of rectal tumors in men with narrow pelvis.

BACKGROUND: In rectal surgery, some situations can be critical, such as anterior topography of locally advanced low tumors with a positive predictive radial margin, especially in a narrow pelvis of men who are obese. Transanal proctectomy is a new laparoscopic technique that uses the transanal endoscopic microsurgery device. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the technical feasibility of laparoscopic transanal proctectomy in patients with unfavorable features. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: This is a single-center, prospective analysis of selected patients with rectal cancer operated on from January 2009 to June 2011. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Intraoperative details and short-term postoperative outcome were described. RESULTS: Thirty men with advanced or recurrent low rectal tumors associated with unfavorable anatomical and/or tumor characteristics underwent a sphincter-sparing transanal endoscopic proctectomy. Twenty-nine patients had received preoperative treatment. We report a 6% conversion rate, no postoperative mortality, and a 30% morbidity rate. At the beginning of our experience, a urethral injury was diagnosed in 2 patients and easily sutured intraoperatively, without postoperative after-effect. The mesorectal resection was graded as "good" in all patients. R0 resection was achieved in 26 patients (87%). The short-term stoma closure rate was 85%. After a median follow-up of 21 months, 4 patients experienced locoregional recurrence alone. Overall survival rates at 12 and 24 months were 96.6% (95% CI, 78.0-99.5) and 80.5% (95% CI, 53.0-92.9). Relapse-free survival rates at 12 and 24 months were 93.3% (95% CI, 75.9-98.3) and 88.9% (95% CI, 69.0-96.3). LIMITATIONS: Although the transanal endoscopic proctectomy was performed by trained surgeons, we report a slight increase in early postoperative morbidity and relatively poor early outcome. There was a clear selection bias related to the study cohort exclusively composed of high-risk patients, but we need to be cautious before generalizing this technique. CONCLUSION: The transanal endoscopic proctectomy is a feasible alternative surgical option to conventional laparoscopy for radical rectal resection in selected cases with unfavorable characteristics. Further investigations with larger cohorts are required to validate its safety and to clarify its best indication.