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.

Laparoscopic abdomino-perineal resection for patients with anorectal malignant melanoma:a report of 4 cases

Anorectal malignant melanoma is a very rare but lethal disease. Patients with anorectal malignant melanoma commonly complain for changes in bowel habits and rectal bleeding. Therefore, anorectal malignant melanoma is often misdiagnosed as hemorrhoids, polyp or rectal cancer. Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for patients with anorectal malignant melanoma. However, whether abdominoperineal resection or wide local excision is the most appropriate surgical approach is still a controversial issue. Recently, with the great development of laparoscopic techniques, more and more operations can be performed by laparoscopic techniques. However, laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for management of anorectal malignant melanoma has been rarely reported. In this study, we reported 4 patients with anorectal malignant melanoma underwent laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection. The outcomes of these patients were relatively good during a long time follow-up. Meanwhile, we reviewed the relevant studies with particular focus surgical treatment.