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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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Robot-assisted Total Mesorectal Excision and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Locally Advanced Middle-low Rectal Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2022
Total mesorectal excision (TME) with laparoscopic approach: 226 consecutive cases
Carlo Staudacher1, Saverio Di Palo, Andrea Tamburini
1Department of Surgery, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy.
Surgical Oncology
|December 7, 2007
Summary
Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer is a safe and oncologically sound procedure. This study shows favorable surgical and survival outcomes in unselected patients undergoing this minimally invasive approach.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Oncology
- Minimally Invasive Surgery
- Rectal Cancer Treatment
Background:
- Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the gold standard for rectal cancer surgery.
- Laparoscopic TME is gaining acceptance, but concerns about safety and oncological outcomes persist.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the surgical and oncological outcomes of laparoscopic TME in a consecutive series of unselected rectal cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- 226 patients with rectal cancer underwent laparoscopic TME between 1998 and 2007.
- Neoadjuvant therapy was administered to patients with cT3/4 cTxN+ staging.
- Surgical and oncological outcomes, including complications and survival, were recorded.
Main Results:
- The procedure had a 6.1% conversion rate and 31.8% 30-day morbidity without mortality.
- Oncological resection was adequate, with a 2.6% R1 margin rate.
- Five-year overall survival was 81% and disease-free survival was 70%.
Conclusions:
- Laparoscopic TME for rectal tumors is technically demanding but safe.
- It offers comparable oncological safety and outcomes to open surgery.
