Minimal access surgery for rectal cancer: an update.

Area of Science:

• Colorectal Surgery
• Surgical Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Minimally invasive surgery (MAS) for colon and rectal cancer emerged in the early 1990s.
• Laparoscopic colon surgery is widely adopted, but MAS for rectal cancer adoption is limited by technical challenges and a steep learning curve.
• While MAS for colon cancer is oncologically equivalent to open surgery, similar evidence for rectal cancer is pending.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current evidence supporting laparoscopic and robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer.
• To discuss other MAS approaches for rectal cancer, including transanal endoscopic microsurgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current evidence on minimally invasive surgical techniques for rectal cancer.
• Discussion of established and emerging MAS approaches for rectal cancer resection.

Main Results:

• Evidence supporting laparoscopic and robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer is presented.
• Other MAS techniques like transanal endoscopic microsurgery and natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery are also discussed.

Conclusions:

• MAS for rectal cancer, while promising, requires further research and evidence to overcome adoption barriers.
• Laparoscopic and robotic approaches, alongside newer techniques, are being evaluated for their role in improving rectal cancer treatment outcomes.