Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 29, 2025

Robot-assisted Total Mesorectal Excision and Lateral Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection for Locally Advanced Middle-low Rectal Cancer
Published on: February 12, 2022
Transanal total mesorectal excision achieves equivalent oncologic resection compared to laparoscopic approach, but
Gabie Kb Ong1, Ben Tsai2, Roger Lozano Patron1
1Indiana University School of Medicine, United States.
Background:
This study compared transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) to laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (laTME) for the treatment of low rectal cancer. Adequacy of oncologic resection as well as postoperative outcomes were analyzed.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed all proctectomy for low rectal cancer by a single surgeon at our institution from January 2014 to September 2019.
Results:
There were 20 taTME and 30 laTME patients. TaTME patients had more distal tumors with no difference in pathologic resection margins or frequency of positive distal margin. Operative times were longer for taTME, but there were no differences in short-term outcomes or complications. TaTME patients had a higher rate of postoperative fecal incontinence.
Conclusion:
TaTME may be a good option for the most distal tumors, when distal margins may be compromised. TaTME provides equivalent oncologic resection, but there is a higher incidence of postoperative fecal incontinence.
More Related Videos
08:26Clinical Application of Single-Surgeon, Three-Port, Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer with Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction
Published on: March 24, 2023
07:22Surgical Robot-Assisted Transanal Specimen Extraction Radical Sigmoidectomy Without an Auxiliary Abdominal Incision
Published on: June 13, 2025