[Total excision of the mesorectum]

In retrospective study authors present early results after the introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) in rectal cancer surgery. In the period (1995-1998) 50 patients had low anterior resection. Of these 33 were performed with total mesorectal excision. 28 of 33 patients had curative resection, 5 patients had palliative resection due to hepatic metastases. Postoperative mortality rate in TME group was 12% due to cardiac disease. The rate of anastomostic failure was 6%. During minimally 2 years follow-up in 15 patients, local recurrence as well as distant metastases had developed in 1 patient (6.6%) respectively.