Endo-satinsky clamp for rectal transection during laparoscopic total mesorectal excision

We describe a technique of intracorporeal rectal transection using an endo-Satinsky clamp during laparoscopic total mesorectal excision.

We use an abdominal approach through 5 trocars. The rectum and mesorectum are mobilized completely. A flexible trocar is placed at the site of a 12-mm right lower abdominal port after the trocar originally placed there is pulled out. The 12-mm trocar originally placed in the right lower abdomen is moved to the suprapubic site, in which a Pfannenstiel incision is anticipated. The endo-Satinsky clamp is inserted through the flexible trocar, and the rectum is grasped with the endo-Satinsky clamp just above the anticipated point of transection. The endostapler is introduced through the 12-mm suprapubic port and is positioned just distal to the clamp. The rectum is then transected. The transected bowel is resected extracorporeally. Anastomosis is completed intracorporeally by use of a double-stapling technique.

From February 2007 to March 2009, we performed low anterior resection with use of the endo-Satinsky clamp for 11 patients with rectal cancer (laparoscopic, 10 patients; robot-assisted, 1 patient). There were no operative complications or deaths. Mean operation time was 179.5 minutes (range, 120-265 min). The average number of cartridges used for rectal transection was 1.6 per patient.

The endo-Satinsky clamp is a useful device for rectal transection and irrigation. The use of this device makes it easier to place an endostapler just distal to the clamp and to transect the rectum in a more appropriate position.