No abstract

The present study showed good rates regarding total mesorectal excision, negative circumferential, and distal resection margins. As the specimen quality is a surrogate marker for survival, TaTME can be regarded as a safe method to treat patients with rectal cancer, from an oncological point of view.

Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer can be technically challenging. We describe a hybrid technique combining abdominal robotic dissection and transanal total mesorectal excision. This procedure was performed in a 50-year-old man with rectal adenocarcinoma at 5 cm from the dentate lane. Preoperative staging was T2N0M0. Surgery went well without complications, and estimated blood loss was less than 50 mL. Robotic surgical time was 90 min, and total operative time was 160 min. The patient was discharged on postoperative day 3. Pathology analysis revealed an intact mesorectum (TME grade 3) and a T2N0 tumor with negative margins. Hybrid surgery with pelvic robotic dissection and transanal total mesorectal excision was feasible, quick and safe in this patient and may be a method that can be developed further.