Robotic transanal total mesorectal excision with intersphincteric dissection for extreme distal rectal cancer: a video demonstration

Robotic Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision Compared to Laparoscopic Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision: Oncologic Results of the Past 5 Years

Colorectal cancer is one of the deadliest diseases on the planet. Rectal cancer (RC) is the 8 th most common type of cancer disease worldwide, accounting for over 300,000 fatalities in 2018. Total mesorectal excision (TME) is considered as the gold standard approach for surgical RC management. To alleviate technical problems associated with dissection of distal rectal, transanal procedure to mesorectum was developed. The robotic operating platforms’ development has brought about the most significant change. The robotic method, which was described first in the year 2001, is gaining popularity in colorectal surgery. A stable camera platform with three-dimensional imaging and tremor filtering, motion scaling, instruments with numerous degrees of freedom, 3 rd arm for fixed retraction, ambidextrous capability, superior ergonomics, and less fatigue, all these advantages have all influenced robotics implementation. However, there are certain disadvantages to robotic surgery, such as high expenses, lengthy time of operation, a bulky cart, and absence of haptic sense. Robotic transanal TME (R-TA TME) is unique method that integrates potential advantages of perineal dissection with precise control of distal margins, along with all robotic technology advantages with respect to dexterity and greater precision. This review goal is to evaluate the available literature critically regarding R-TA TME in comparison to laparoscopic TA TME (L-TA TME) using the most prevalent histopathological metrics, which are the circumferential resection margin, the distal rectal margin, recurrence rate, specimen quality, advantages, and disadvantages. Oncological results for the past 5 years were used. The resources were obtained from electronic sources such as Google Scholar and PubMed. The conclusion of this review revealed that R-TA TME is as safe as well as feasible as L-TA TME, is technically possible, and has comparable oncological results and short-term post-operative outcomes. However, further investigation is required to evaluate long-term oncological or functional results.

Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer: What We Learned in the Last Two Decades and the Future Perspectives

The advancement in surgical techniques, optimization of systemic chemoradiotherapy, and development of refined diagnostic and imaging modalities have brought a phenomenal shift in the treatment of the locally advanced rectal cancer. Although each therapeutic option has shown substantial progress in their field, it is finding their ideal amalgamation which has baffled the clinician and researchers alike. In the effort to identifying the perfect salutary treatment plan, we have even shifted our attention from the trimodal approach to non-operative "watchful waiting" to more recent individualized care. In this article, we acknowledge the scientific progress in the management of locally advanced rectal cancer and compare the opportunities as well as the obstacles while implementing them clinically. We also explore the current challenges and controversies surrounding the multidisciplinary approach and highlight the new trends and recent advances with an ultimate goal to improve the patients' quality of life.

Robotic transanal total mesorectal excision: Is the future now?

Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the standard surgical treatment for the curative radical resection of rectal cancers. Minimally invasive TME has been gaining ground favored by the continuous technological advancements. New procedures, such as transanal TME (TaTME), have been introduced to overcome some technical limitations, especially in low rectal tumors, obese patients, and/or narrow pelvis. The earliest TaTME reports showed promising results when compared with the conventional laparoscopic TME. However, recent publications raised concerns regarding the high rates of anastomotic leaks or local recurrences observed in national series. Robotic TaTME (R-TaTME) has been proposed as a novel technique incorporating the potential benefits of a perineal dissection together with precise control of the distal margins, and also offers all those advantages provided by the robotic technology in terms of improved precision and dexterity. Encouraging short-term results have been reported for R-TaTME, but further studies are needed to assess the real role of the new technique in the long-term oncological or functional outcomes. The present review aims to provide a general overview of R-TaTME by analyzing the body of the available literature, with a special focus on the potential benefits, harms, and future perspectives for this novel approach.

Critical concepts and important anatomic landmarks encountered during transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME): toward the mastery of a new operation for rectal cancer surgery

Over the past 3 years, colorectal surgeons have begun to adapt the technique of transanal total mesorectal excision. As international experience has been quickly forged, an improved recognition of the pitfalls and the practical details of this disruptive technique have been realized. The purpose of this technical note was to express the various nuances of transanal total mesorectal excision as learned during the course of its clinical application and international teaching, so as to rapidly communicate and share important insights with other surgeons who are in the early adoption phase of this approach. The technical points specific to transanal total mesorectal excision are addressed herein. When correctly applied, these will likely improve the quality of surgery and decrease morbidity attributable to inexperience with the transanal approach to total mesorectal excision.