Risk factors and treatment of rectal stenosis after transanal endoscopic microsurgery.

AIM: Rectal stenosis is a relatively rare complication after transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). This study aims to identify the predictive parameters for stenosis and the application of TEM in the treatment. METHOD: The clinical data of patients who underwent TEM for rectal adenoma and early cancer from 2008 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. We compared the clinicopathological characteristics of patients with stenosis and those without stenosis and analysed the risk factors for stenosis. Treatment outcomes of stenosis with TEM were evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 230 patients were enrolled in this study. Overall, the postoperative complication rate was 11.7% (27/230), including eight (3.5%) patients with stenosis. Patients with stenosis exhibited a higher rate of tumour showing a laterally spreading morphology (P = 0.048), a wider circumferential extent of mucosal defect (P < 0.001), a shorter distance of the tumour from the anal verge (P = 0.001) and a wider longitudinal extent of mucosal defect (P = 0.027). A circumferential extent of mucosal defect >3/4 (OR 94.945, 95% CI 3.611-2496.41, P = 0.006) was identified as the only independent risk factor for stenosis. The four patients with both stenosis and clinical symptoms were treated by incising the stenosis ring using the TEM platform; the stenosis was cured, and symptoms disappeared after one to four courses of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Circumferential extent of mucosal defect ≥3/4 was an independent risk factor for stenosis in treating rectal adenoma and early cancer with TEM. Incision of the stenosis ring using the TEM platform is an effective strategy for treating stenosis.

Outcome of Endoscopic Resection of Rectal Neuroendocrine Tumors ≤ 10 mm.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Guidelines suggest endoscopic resection for rectal neuroendocrine tumors (rNETs) < 10 mm, but the most appropriate resection technique is unclear. In real-life clinical practice, the endoscopic removal of unrecognized rNETs can take place with "simple" techniques and without preliminary staging. The aim of the current study is to report our own experience at a referral center for both neuroendocrine neoplasms and endoscopy. METHODS: Retrospective analyses of polypectomies were performed at the Humanitas Research Hospital for rNETs (already diagnosed or previously unrecognized). RESULTS: A total of 19 patients were included, with a median lesion size of 5 mm (range 3-10 mm). Only five lesions were suspected as NETs before removal and underwent endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) before resection, being removed with advanced endoscopic techniques. Unsuspected rNETs were removed by cold polypectomy in eleven cases, EMR in two, and biopsy forceps in one. When described, the margins were negative in four cases, positive in four (R1), and indeterminate in one. The median follow-up was 40 months. A 10 mm polypoid lesion removed with cold snare polypectomy (G2 R1) needed subsequent surgery. Eighteen patients underwent EUS after a median time of 6.5 months from resection. The EUS identified local recurrence after 14 months in a 7 mm polypoid lesion removed with cold snare polypectomy (G1 R1); the lesion was treated with cap-assisted EMR. For all the other lesions, the follow-up was negative. CONCLUSIONS: When rNETs are improperly removed without prior staging, caution must be exercised. The data from our cohort suggest that even if inappropriate resection had happened, patients may be safely managed with early EUS evaluation.

[Treatment strategy for early stage rectal cancer (T1 carcinoma)]. / Therapeutische Strategie bei Frühkarzinomen im Rektum (T1­Karzinom).

BACKROUND: A common consensus for the definition for early rectal cancer does not exist. This item is used in cases of histological findings including pTis, pT1 or pT2 tumors. The term early rectal cancer is not mentioned in the German S3 guidelines on colorectal cancer. The pTis tumors are located at the mucosa level of the intestinal wall and they have nearly no tendency to develop metastases but pT2 tumors have a high risk of local metastases; therefore, the term early rectal cancer is not adequate for pT2 tumors. OBJECTIVE: This focus of this article is exclusively on pT1 rectal cancer. Following the histological definition, pT1 tumors of the rectum are located at the level of the mucosa and submucosa of the intestinal wall. CONCLUSION: With respect to the nature of the tumor (e.g. size, grading, invasion of lymphatic and/or blood vessels, Kikuchi classification) local methods (endoscopic procedure, surgical techniques) or radical resections are recommended. Tumor budding is of increasing interest and importance. Depending on the severity of the tumor budding classification (bd1-bd3) there is an association with a more frequent occurrence of lymph node metastases and should therefore be taken into consideration in treatment decisions in the future.

Microcirugía transanal endoscópica como tratamiento de los tumores benignos del recto / Endoscopic Transanal Microsurgery as a Treatment of Benign Rectal Tumors

Introducción: La microcirugía transanal endoscópica es un procedimiento mínimamente invasivo para el tratamiento local de los grandes adenomas y los cánceres en estadios iniciales del recto. Objetivo: Evaluar los resultados de la microcirugía transanal endoscópica en los pacientes con tumores benignos del recto en el Centro Nacional de Cirugía de Mínimo Acceso de La Habana. Método: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de una base de datos prospectiva de 15 años. Se les ejecutó a un total de 91 pacientes con tumores benignos del recto la microcirugía transanal endoscópica entre abril de 2004 y diciembre de 2019. Se incluyeron las variables: edad, sexo, indicación, tiempo quirúrgico, localización del tumor, tamaño tumoral, estancia hospitalaria, complicaciones posoperatorias y recidiva local. Resultados: La principal indicación fue el adenoma del recto con 70 (76,9 por ciento) pacientes. La edad media fue de 63,4 años, el tiempo quirúrgico 81,1 minutos y el tamaño tumoral 3,5 cm. La estancia hospitalaria fue de 1 día y las complicaciones posoperatorias fueron 4 (4,3 por ciento): dos sangramientos, una dehiscencia de sutura y una estenosis. Dos pacientes (2,8 por ciento) tuvieron recidiva local en el grupo de los adenomas y no se realizaron conversiones a cirugía laparoscópica o cirugía abierta. Conclusión: La microcirugía transanal endoscópica fue una técnica factible y segura en el tratamiento de los adenomas del recto no resecables endoscópicamente, adenomas con displasia de alto grado y en otros tumores del recto(AU)

Introduction: Endoscopic transanal microsurgery is a minimally invasive procedure for local treatment of large adenomas and early-stage rectal cancers. Objective: To assess the outcomes of endoscopic transanal microsurgery in patients with benign rectal tumors at the National Center for Minimal Access Surgery in Havana. Methods: A retrospective study of a 15-year prospective database was carried out. A total of 91 patients with benign rectal tumors underwent endoscopic transanal microsurgery between April 2004 and December 2019. The following variables were included: age, sex, indication, surgical time, tumor location, tumor size, hospital stay, postoperative complications and local recurrence. Results: The main indication was rectal adenoma, accounting for 70 (76.9 percent) patients. The mean age was 63.4 years, surgical time was 81.1 minutes and tumor size was 3.5 cm. Hospital stay was one day. Postoperative complications were four (4.3 percent): two bleedings, one suture dehiscence and one stenosis. Two patients (2.8 percent) had local recurrence in the adenoma group. No conversions to laparoscopic or open surgery were performed. Conclusion: Endoscopic transanal microsurgery was a feasible and safe technique in the treatment of endoscopically unresectable rectal adenomas, adenomas with high-grade dysplasia and other rectal tumors.