OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) by transanal glove port combined with colonoscopy for excision of rectal tumors.

METHODSEight patients with rectal cancer eligible for local resection were chosen to receive a procedure performed via a "glove TEM port" from October 2012 to March 2013. This device was constructed on-table using a circular anal dilator (CAD), standard surgical glove, colonoscopy instruments and straight laparoscopic instruments.

RESULTSProcedures of all the patients were completed successfully by glove TEM. The median (range) diameter of tumor was 2.6(1.5-3.5) cm, the median (range) operative time was 55.6(30-110) min. Postoperative pathology included villous adenomas (n=3), tubular adenomas (n=2), tubulovillous adenomas (n=2), serrated adenoma (n=1), low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (n=2), and high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia (n=1). All resection margins were negative. Two patients presented with postoperative minor bleeding. There were no serious intraoperative complications. No cancer recurrence was found during a follow-up of 1-5 (median 3.1) months.

CONCLUSIONTransanal endoscopic microsurgery by transanal glove port combined with colonoscopy in the treatment of early rectal cancer is easy and safe.