Selection of anal preservation surgery of low rectal cancer / 中国实用外科杂志

With the promotion of neoadjuvant therapy,the development of minimally invasive techniques and new surgical techniques,the anal preservation rate of low rectalcancer is increasing year by year. To improve postoperative quality of life is an important goal in the treatment of low rectal cancer. At present,the main important low anal preservation surgery is as follows: Intersphincteric resection(ISR),including complete ISR,subtotal ISR,partial ISR and modified partial ISR; Transanal local resection,including transanal endoscopic microsurgery(TEM) and transanal minimally invasive surgery(TAMIS); Anterior perineal planefor ultra-low anterior resection of the rectum(APPEAR),which is performed through a separate perineal incision,israrely used at present; Transanal total mesorectal excision(TaTME) proposed in recent years. Preliminary studies have proven safe and effective for low advanced rectal cancer.TaTME require a learning curve. It is now making expertcon sensus and operation specification,operation training and conducting multi-center prospective study. TaTME isexpected to become the important operation for low rectalcancer.

Low rectal cancer: Sphincter preserving techniques-selection of patients, techniques and outcomes.

Low rectal cancer is traditionally treated by abdominoperineal resection. In recent years, several new techniques for the treatment of very low rectal cancer patients aiming to preserve the gastrointestinal continuity and to improve both the oncological as well as the functional outcomes, have been emerged. Literature suggest that when the intersphincteric resection is applied in T1-3 tumors located within 30-35 mm from the anal verge, is technically feasible, safe, with equal oncological outcomes compared to conventional surgery and acceptable quality of life. The Anterior Perineal PlanE for Ultra-low Anterior Resection technique, is not disrupting the sphincters, but carries a high complication rate, while the reports on the oncological and functional outcomes are limited. Transanal Endoscopic MicroSurgery (TEM) and TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) should represent the treatment of choice for T1 rectal tumors, with specific criteria according to the NCCN guidelines and favorable pathologic features. Alternatively to the standard conventional surgery, neoadjuvant chemo-radiotherapy followed by TEM or TAMIS seems promising for tumors of a local stage T1sm2-3 or T2. Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision should be performed only when a board approved protocol is available by colorectal surgeons with extensive experience in minimally invasive and transanal endoscopic surgery.