Transanal minimally invasive surgery to rescue anastomosis following leak after low anterior resection: A case report

Restorative low anterior resection(LAR)for rectal cancer carries a significant risk of anastomotic leak:One of the most feared complications in colorectal surgery.Operative management may include takedown of the anastomosis and end colostomy which,in some cases,is permanent.Other contemporary operative measures include over the scope clips and Endosponge.Recently,there have been case reports and a Society of American Endoscopic and Gastrointestinal Surgeons video on the novel use of transanal minimally invasive surgery(TAMIS)in the management of anastomotic leak.We present a 59-year-old female who underwent LAR after declining radiotherapy for a bulky 9 cm rectal tumour 9-10 cm from the anal verge.Following clinical deterioration,computed tomography demonstrated an anastomotic leak communicating with a 5-cm pelvic collection containing gas.At laparoscopy,pus and faeculent material were washed from the pelvic cavity and drains were placed.Intra-operative endoscopy demonstrated a 7-8 mm dehiscence at the anastomosis.The defect(approximately 7 cm from the anal verge)was successfully closed using TAMIS and a running V-lock suture.The patient recovered well and was discharged home on post-operative day 20.In this case,a low colorectal anastomotic leak was successfully rescued with TAMIS.This novel technique may be useful in the armamentarium of colorectal surgeons experienced in TAMIS.

Role of minimally invasive surgery for rectal cancer

Rectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies worldwide.Surgical resection for rectal cancer usually requires a proctectomy with respective lymphadenectomy(total mesorectal excision).This has traditionally been performed transabdominally through an open incision.Over the last thirty years,minimally invasive surgery platforms have rapidly evolved with the goal to accomplish the same quality rectal resection through a less invasive approach.There are currently three resective modalities that complement the traditional open operation:(1)Laparoscopic surgery;(2)Robotic surgery;and(3)Transanal total mesorectal excision.In addition,there are several platforms to carry out transluminal local excisions(without lymphadenectomy).Evidence on the various modalities is of mixed to moderate quality.It is unreasonable to expect a randomized comparison of all options in a single trial.This review aims at reviewing in detail the various techniques in regard to intra-/perioperative benchmarks,recovery and complications,oncological and functional outcomes.

Use of transanal minimally invasive surgery for endoscopic resection of rectal tumour:a technical note

Background:The aim of this article is to report and discuss a case of lower rectal cancer undergoing endoscopic transanal resection of tumour(ETART)using a transanal minimally invasive surgery(TAMIS)approach.Methods:A technical note on a case report.An innovative approach for ETART using TAMIS.Results:This is the first-ever case report of lower rectal cancer treated by ETART using a TAMIS approach.The procedure was completed successfully without any operative or peri-operative complication.Peri-operative flexible sigmoidoscopy confirmed a wide and patent rectal lumen.Conclusion:Use of a TAMIS approach for ETART to remove lower rectal cancer for palliation can be technically very effective compared with conventional ETART,due to the potential advantages of avoiding contaminant fluid spillage,easy access,better visualization compared with conventional ETART,and being user-friendly.The results from larger cohorts of patients undergoing TAMIS ETART are required before recommending the routine use of this technique.However,until then,this approach may be considered as an alternative to conventional ETART.

Management of early rectal cancer;current surgical options and future direction

Rectal cancer is the second commonest cause of cancer death within the United Kingdom.Utilization of national screening programmes have resulted in a greater proportion of patients presenting with early-stage disease.The technique of transanal endoscopic microsurgery was first described in 1984 following which further options for local excision have emerged with transanal endoscopic operation and,more recently,transanal minimally invasive surgery.Owing to the risks of local recurrence,the current role of minimally invasive techniques for local excision in the management of rectal cancer is limited to the treatment of pre-invasive disease and low risk early-stage rectal cancer(T1N0M0 disease).The roles of chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the management of early rectal cancer are yet to be fully established.However,results of high-quality research such as the GRECCAR II,TESAR and STAR-TREC randomised control trials may highlight a wider role for local excision surgery in the future,when used in combination with oncological therapies.The aim of our review is to provide an overview in the current management of early rectal cancer,the surgical options available for local excision and the future multimodal direction of early rectal cancer treatment.