ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the advantage of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) and the clinical value of pull-through anastomosis in the treatment of rectal carcinoma. Methods From November 2005 to December 2006, laparoscopic TME combined with pull-through anastomosis was carried out on 8 patients with rectal cancer. Results In all of the 8 patients, TME was completed under a laparoscope without additional incision, and the pull-through anastomosis was performed by hand.The mean operation time was 220 minutes (range, 180 to 300). The patients were followed up for 8-18 months (mean, 13 months), during which none of them developed implantation at puncture sites or local recurrence. Conclusions Laparoscopy provides a direct, magnified and reliable view for TME. Pull-though anastomosis is a convenient and low-cost method.