[Transanal total mesorectal excision: a new treatment option for rectal cancer]

The transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) for colorectal tumours is a new endoscopic approach in which the rectum is mobilized transanally from down-to-up using a flexible transanal single-access port. The advantage of this technique is that it could result in fewer conversions from laparoscopic to open procedures and consequently fewer complications and more radical resections. Standard endoscopic armamentarium is used for the transanal technique so that costs remain low. The length of the learning curve is expected to be comparable to other laparoscopic techniques, and is even shorter for an experienced laparoscopic surgeon. Additional research is needed to compare long-term oncological and clinical results of transanal TME to laparoscopic and open TME.