Transanal minimally invasive surgery - A single-center experience

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) was described in the literature 10 years ago. This procedure requires laparoscopic technical skills. It has been well accepted widely worldwide. TAMIS has been applied to multiple procedures, including excision for rectal polyps and cancer, with acceptable outcomes. The study aimed to assess the outcomes of TAMIS in a large district general hospital.

A retrospective study on prospectively collected data on 52 consecutive patients of TAMIS performed in a single unit was conducted between May 2014 and February 2020. Data were collected on patient demographics, clinical diagnosis, peri-operative findings, pathological findings, adequacy of excision and complications. Patients were followed up as per the trust and national post-polypectomy guidelines.

Among the 52 patients, TAMIS procedures were completed in 50 patients, of which 31 were female. The procedure was successful in 96.5% but had to abandon in two cases. There was no conversion to another procedure. Pre-operative indications were rectal polyps and one case was an emergency TAMIS in a patient who was bleeding following incomplete colonoscopic polypectomy. The final histology reported that the majority were benign polyps (46), and only 11 cases were malignant. The median distance of the lesion from the anal verge was 6 cm (3-10 cm). The median operative time was 55 min (8-175 min). A total of 45 (77.5%) lesions were completely excised and had negative microscopic margins. Most patients (64%) were discharged home the same day. No complications were observed at a median follow-up of 20 months (6-48 months). There was no mortality.

Our data suggest that TAMIS can be safely performed in a district general hospital for both benign and early rectal cancer. TAMIS was also able to control post-polypectomy bleeding and completion of rectal polypectomy. In selected cases, day-case TAMIS is safe and feasible.