OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety and outcomes after transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM)for rectal adenoma.

METHODSData of 32 patients undergoing TEM for rectal adenoma between September 2006 and February 2010 in the Ruijin Hospital were reviewed.

RESULTSThe adenoma diameter ranged from 0.6 to 10.0(2.3±1.2) cm. The mean operative time was 70(range,20-180) min. The estimated blood loss was less than 10 ml. There were no conversions to transabdominal procedure. Twenty-two(68.8%) patients underwent suturing of the wound, of whom 14 had full-thickness resection. Two patients had perforation into peritoneal cavity during full-thickness resection, which were repaired by continuous suturing and no postoperative leak occurred. R0 resection was achieved in 31(96.9%) patients. Postoperative pathology showed 12 simple adenomas, 10 adenomas with low grade intraepithelial neoplasia, 5 adenomas with high grade intraepithelial neoplasia, and 5 T1 focal carcinomas. Complications included rectal bleeding in 1 patient, acute urinary retention in 1 patient, and pulmonary infection in 1 patient. The postoperative stay was 4.5(3-8) days. The patients were followed-up for a period of 23 months(range, 2-43 months). There were 2 tumors recurred.

CONCLUSIONTEM is a safe and effective minimally invasive surgical technique for large rectal adenomas.