Current state of laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery in Australasia

To establish the current surgical approach to rectal cancer in a group of colorectal surgeons in Australasia and the current opinion regarding laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery.

An online survey was distributed to the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand members.

123/177 surgeons responded. During the last year, 94.3% had performed a laparoscopic colorectal case, 77.2% a laparoscopic rectal case and 65% a laparoscopic rectal cancer case. The most common approach to high anterior resection was pure laparoscopic (52.8%). Low anterior resections were most commonly performed with a laparoscopic component (25.2% pure laparoscopic, 33.3% hybrid). Most surgeons (>50%) performed ultra-low anterior resections or abdomino-perineal resections via an open technique. In addition, 64.2% intended to perform laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) within 2 years. Most surgeons believe that the quality of laparoscopic TME and oncological outcomes are similar, and surgical access and short-term outcomes are superior when compared to the open procedure. The major concerns were in performing a low rectal transection, controlling haemorrhage and resource utilization/cost.

Laparoscopic rectal surgery is now widely practiced by Australasian colorectal surgeons and projected to increase in the near future. However, only 10% of surgeons are routinely performing total laparoscopic ultra-low anterior resections which may have implications for the generalizability of clinical trials in laparoscopic TME and the ability to credential surgeons in this technically challenging field. Quality of TME and oncological outcomes were rated similar to the open operation. Areas of concern included low rectal transection, haemorrhage control and resource utilization/cost.