Real-time in vivo distal margin selection using confocal laser endomicroscopy in transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND Transanal total mesorectal excision(TaTME)allows patients with ultralow rectal cancer to be treated with sphincter-saving surgery.However,accurate delineation of the distal resection margin(DRM),which is essential to achieve R0 resection for low rectal cancer in TaTME,is technically demanding.AIM To assess the feasibility of optical biopsy using probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy(pCLE)to select the DRM during TaTME for low rectal cancer.METHODS A total of 43 consecutive patients who were diagnosed with low rectal cancer and scheduled for TaTME were prospectively enrolled from January 2019 to January 2021.pCLE was used to determine the distal edge of the tumor as well as the DRM during surgery.The final pathological report was used as the gold standard.The diagnostic accuracy of pCLE examination was calculated.RESULTS A total of 86 pCLE videos of 43 patients were included in the analyses.The sensitivity,specificity and accuracy of real-time pCLE examination were 90.00%[95%confidence interval(CI):76.34%-97.21%],86.96%(95%CI:73.74%-95.06%)and 88.37%(95%CI:79.65%-94.28%),respectively.The accuracy of blinded pCLE reinterpretation was 86.05%(95%CI:76.89%-92.58%).Furthermore,our results show satisfactory interobserver agreement(κ=0.767,standard error=0.069)for the detection of cancer tissue by pCLE.There were no positive DRMs(≤1 mm)in this study.The median DRM was 7 mm[interquartile range(IQR)=5-10 mm].The median Wexner score was 5(IQR=3-6)at 6 mo after stoma closure.CONCLUSION Real-time in vivo pCLE examination is feasible and safe for selecting the DRM during TaTME for low rectal cancer(clinical trial registration number:NCT04016948).

Transanal minimally invasive surgery using laparoscopic instruments of the rectum:A review

Transanal minimally invasive surgery(TAMIS)was first described in 2010 as an alternative to transanal endoscopic microsurgery(TEM).The TAMIS technique can be access to the proximal and mid-rectum for resection of benign and earlystage malignant rectal lesions and also used for noncurative intent surgery of more advanced lesions in patients who are not candidates for radical surgery.TAMIS has a shorter learning curve,reduced device setup time,flexibility in instrument use,and versatility in application than TEM.Also,TAMIS shows similar results in a view of the operation time,conversion rate,reoperation rate,and complication to TEM.For these reasons,TAMIS is an easily accessible,technically feasible,and cost-effective alternative to TEM.Overall,TAMIS has enabled the performance of high-quality local excision of rectal lesions by many colorectal surgeons.As TAMIS becomes more broadly utilized such as pelvic abscess drainage,rectal stenosis,and treatment of anastomotic dehiscence,the acquisition of appropriate training must be ensured,and the continued assessment and assurance of outcome must be maintained.

Special surgical approaches during peri-COVID-19 pandemic:Robotic and transanal minimally invasive surgery

During the peri-coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic,the need of special care has raised,not only for our patients but also for health care workers.These needs are different regarding the procedure and the approach performed.This is a dynamic review in the use of robotics and transanal approaches for colorectal diseases.We searched PubMed and KSREvidence.com for studies related to coronavirus disease and robotic surgery/transanal mesorectal excision/transanal surgery(primary and systematic reviews).From 147 results in PubMed,11 were selected for full text screening,and 11 were included in this paper.From 3 results in KSREvidence,no relevant systematic reviews were identified.We also checked the references in identified papers for further relevant studies.European Society of Coloproctology guidelines were including as part of the recommendations available.Robotic and transanal MIS can be performed safely during the pandemic,but particular characteristics of these procedure need to be taken into consideration.

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.

Transanal total mesorectal excision combined with intersphincteric resection has similar long-term oncological outcomes to laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection in low rectal cancer:a propensity score-matched cohort study

Background Transanal total mesorectal excision(taTME)or intersphincteric resection(ISR)has recently proven to be a valid and safe surgical procedure for low rectal cancer.However,studies focusing on the combination of these two technologies are limited.This study aimed to evaluate perioperative results,long-termoncologic outcomes,and anorectal functions of patients with low rectal cancer undergoing taTME combined with ISR,by comparing with those of patients undergoing laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection(laAPR).Methods After 1:1 propensity score matching,200 patients with low rectal cancer who underwent laAPR(n=100)or taTME combined with ISR(n=100)between September 2013 and November 2019 were included.Patient demographics,clinicopathological characteristics,oncological outcomes,and anal functional results were analysed.Results Patients in the taTME-combined-with-ISR group had less intraoperative blood loss(79.6672.6 vs 107.3665.1 mL,P=0.005)and a lower rate of post-operative complications(22.0%vs 44.0%,P<0.001)than those in the laAPR group.The overall local recurrence rates were 7.0%in both groups within 3 years after surgery.The 3-year disease-free survival rates were 86.3%in the taTME-combined-with-ISR group and 75.1%in the laAPR group(P=0.056),while the 3-year overall survival rates were 96.7%and 94.2%,respectively(P=0.319).There were 39 patients(45.3%)in the taTME-combined-with-ISR group who developed major low anterior resection syndrome,whereas 61 patients(70.9%)had good post-operative anal function(Wexner incontinence score≤10).Conclusion We found similar long-term oncological outcomes for patients with low rectal cancer undergoing laAPR and those undergoing taTME combined with ISR.Patients receiving taTME combined with ISR had acceptable post-operative anorectal function.

经自然腔道取标本手术(NOSES)治疗结直肠癌的国际共识

近年来,经自然腔道取标本手术(NOSES)治疗结直肠癌已引起了广泛关注。NOSES应用于结直肠手术的潜在优势包括减轻术后疼痛,减少伤口并发症,减少对术后镇痛的需求,加快肠道功能的恢复,缩短住院时间,更好的美容效果,以及给患者带来了更佳的心理状态。尽管NOSES的手术创伤显著减轻,然而该技术也存在一些潜在问题。尤其随着这项新技术的兴起,人们对其无菌的把控、肿瘤学结果和病例选择等问题表示出关切。因此,迫切需要一部操作指南来规范NOSES手术在结直肠癌中的开展。经过国际NOSES联盟全体成员的三轮讨论,最终形成了该部共识。这一共识有助于NOSES在全球范围内的长远发展。

对比经肛全直肠系膜切除术与腹腔镜全直肠系膜切除术:一项多中心III期随机临床试验(TaLaR试验)方案

背景:全直肠系膜切除术是直肠癌治疗的标准手术方法。经肛全直肠系膜切除术(taTME)是治疗低位直肠癌的新术式。既往研究表明,与腹腔镜全直肠系膜切除术(lapTME)相比,taTME应用于低位直肠癌患者可提供更高质量的手术标本,但其长期肿瘤学结果仍需进一步观察。因此,我们设计了这个非劣效性临床试验(TaLaR试验),比较taTME与lapTME治疗直肠癌的短期和长期结果。方法/设计:TaLaR试验是一项多中心III期随机对照试验。研究对象为经磁共振成像、直肠指检或结肠镜检查被诊断为位于腹膜反折以下的直肠癌,若肿瘤分期≤cT3N2直接手术,若>cT3N2则先行新辅助治疗。通过计算,本研究需纳入1,114例患者(每组557例)。纳入病例随机分配到taTME或lapTME组。本研究的主要终点是3年无病生存率(DFS)和5年总生存率(OS)。次要终点包括手术标本质量、围手术期结果、骨盆和肛门功能以及生活质量。讨论:我们认为,TaLaR试验将阐明taTME是否可以达到与lapTME相似的肿瘤学结果,以及是否可改善直肠癌患者的手术标本质量及恢复情况。