Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) on transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) platform in the treatment of middle and low rectal cancer.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinico-pathological data of 28 patients with middle and low rectal cancer who underwent taTME on TEM platform in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Science from October 2014 to October 2017 were collected. There were 21 males and 7 females, aged 59 years (51 years, 68 years). Observation indicators: (1) surgical and postoperative situations; (2) follow-up. Follow-up was conducted using outpatient examination or telephone interview to detect post-operative defecation function and survival of patients up to October 2020. Patients underwent physical examination, examination of tumor markers including carcinoembryonic antigen and CA19-9, colonoscopy, rectal magnetic resonance imaging, thoracoabdominal and pelvic enhanced computed tomography (CT) and (or) PET-CT examination during the follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean±SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( P25,P75) or M (range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the non parameter Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Results:(1) Surgical and postoperative situations: 28 patients underwent successful surgery, without intra-operative conversion to laparotomy. Of 28 patients, 24 cases underwent colorectal anastomosis and 4 cases underwent colon-anal anastomosis. Twenty-six cases underwent primary protective enterostomy and 2 cases didn't undergo primary protective enterostomy. The operation time of 28 patients was (182±37)minutes and the volume of intraoperative blood loss was 40mL(30 mL, 55 mL). One patient with intraoperative presacral hemorrhage received compression hemostasis. Eleven patients had postoperative complications, including 4 cases with anastomotic leakage, 2 cases with alteration of intestinal flora, 2 cases with paralytic ileus, 2 cases with urinary retention, 2 cases with urinary infection, 1 case with prolapse necrosis of small intestinal stoma, 1 case with anal hemorrhage, 1 case with rectovaginal fistula, 1 case with pelvic infection; some patients had multiple complications. Three patients had non-planned reoperation. One case without primary protective enterostomy had anastomotic leakage at postoperative 3 days, and was improved after emergency transversostomy. One case had prolapse necrosis of small intestinal stoma at postoperative 3 days and was improved after emergency enterostomy and reconstruction. One case with anal hemorrhage was stopped hemorrhage under anoscopy. Patients with other complications were cured after conservative treatments. The duration of postoperative hospital stay of 28 patients was 8 days(7 days, 9 days). Results of pathological examination in 28 patients showed 16 cases of moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma, 3 cases of moderately to highly differentiated adenocarcinoma, 5 cases of highly differentiated adenocarcinoma, 1 case of mucinous adenocarcinoma, 3 cases of pathological complete response. TNM staging of 28 patients showed 3 cases in stage T0N0, 4 cases in stage T1N0, 6 cases in stage T2N0, 4 cases in stage T2N1, 7 cases in stage T3N0, 3 cases in stage T3N1, 1 case in stage T4N1. The distance from tumor to distal margin was (2.2±1.7)cm. The surgical specimens of 28 patients showed negative for proximal, distal and circumferential margins. The number of lymph node dissection was 15±7. The complete rate of total mesorectal excision was 100%(28/28). Eleven of 28 patients underwent neoadjuvant therapy and 17 patients didn't receive neoadjuvant therapy. The tumor diameter, distance from tumor to anal margin, operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative hospital stay were 2 cm(1 cm, 4 cm), 5 cm(4 cm, 6 cm), (187±25)minutes, 45 mL(38 mL, 53 mL), 8 days(7 days, 12 days) for patients with neoadjuvant therapy, respectively, versus 3 cm(2 cm, 4 cm), 5 cm(4 cm, 6 cm), (177±35)minutes, 40 mL(30 mL, 60 mL), 8 days(7 days, 8 days) for patients without neoadjuvant therapy, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( Z=-1.127, -0.293, t=0.590, Z=-0.790, -0.876, P>0.05). (2) Follow-up: 23 of 28 patients were followed up for (44±14)months. Of the 23 patients,11 cases were classified as grade A of Williams score for defecation function at postoperative 6 months, 8 cases were classified as grade B and 4 cases were classified as grade C. Eighteen of 23 patients with follow-up had disease-free survival, 1 of whom didn't undergo stoma closure due to anastomotic stenosis at postoperative 6 months. Three patients had distant metastasis, including 1 case with parastomal implantation metastasis, 1 case with sacral metastasis, 1 case with pulmonary metastasis. Two patients died, 1 case of whom died of urinary obstruction and 1 case with mucinous adenocarcinoma died at postoperative 24 months. Conclusion:TaTME based on TEM platform is feasible for middle and low rectal cancer, which has the advantages of preserving anus and negative circumferential margin.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of laparoscopic resection of retrorectal cystic lesions.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 58 patients undergoing laparoscopic resection of retrorectal cystic lesions in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from August 2012 to August 2019 were collected. There were 5 males and 53 females, aged from 15 to 70 years, with a median age of 38 years. All the 58 patients underwent laparoscopic resection of retrorectal cystic lesions and the combined operation through the transsacral approach was chosen according to the patient condition. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) postoperative histopathological examination; (4) follow-up. Patients were followed up regularly using outpatient examination once every 6 months during the first postoperative year and once every 12 months after the first postoperative year. The recurrence of cysts was evaluated by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging examinations during the follow-up up to August 2020. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD and measurement data with skewed distribution were described as M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers. Results:(1) Surgical situations: of the 58 patients, 54 cases underwent laparoscopic resection of retrorectal cystic lesions and 4 cases underwent laparoscopic resection of retrorectal cystic lesions combined with the transsacral approach operation. One of the 58 patients who had a huge cyst surrounding the rectum underwent transverse colostomy after repairing the damage of separated posterior wall of rectum. Two cases underwent preventive transverse colostomy because the external rectal wall heat injury could not be excluded after separation of the tight adhesion between cyst and rectum. The operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss were (123±56)minutes, 20 mL(range, 5?500 mL) of 54 cases who underwent laparoscopic resection of retrorectal cystic lesions and (232±38)minutes, 90 mL(range, 30?800 mL) of 4 cases who underwent laparoscopic resection of retrorectal cystic lesions combined with the transsacral approach operation, respectively. (2) Postoperative situations: 7 of the 58 patients had complica-tions. Of the 7 patients, 2 cases had postoperative rectal fistula and were cured after the treatment of transverse colostomy combined with pelvic drainage, 2 cases had postoperative urinary tract infection and were relieved after anti-infection treatment, 2 cases had urinary retention after removal of catheter and were recovered after 3 weeks of re-indwelling catheter, and 1 case had poor incision healing of transsacral and was healed after wound dressing change. The duration of postoperative hospital stay of the 58 patients was (7±4)days. (3) Postoperative histopathological examination: results of the postoperative histopathological examination showed that there were 26 of 58 patients with epidermoid cyst, 20 patients with teratoma (2 cases with mature teratoma accompanied by mucinous adenocarcinoma and 1 case with mature teratoma accompanied by neuroendocrine carcinoma), 10 patients with dermoid cyst, and 2 patients with tailgut cyst. (4) Follow-up: 57 of the 58 patients were followed up for 2-85 months, with a median follow-up time of 51 months. Of the 57 patients who were followed up, 1 patient was diagnosed with buttock subcutaneous cyst at postoperative 8 months and treated with local excision, 1 patient was diagnosed with a small presacral cyst recurrence by pelvic magnetic resonance imaging at postoperative 6 months and continued follow-up as the cyst without obvious enlargement, and the other 55 patients had no cyst recurrence.Conclusion:The laparoscopic resection of retrorectal cystic lesions is safe and feasible.

Objective To summarize and analyze our experiences uponperforming laparoscopic resection ofpresacral cysts,at the aim of generalizing the minimally invasive surgery in the treatment of this disease.Methods The clinical data of 33 patients with presacral cysts treated by laparoscopy in Peking Union Medical College Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from November 2012 to June 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.The operation time, the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications and the length of hospital stay were counted.Results Tumor excision was completed according to the plan without conversion to open surgery.The average operation time was ( 124.4 ± 63.0) minutes.There were 1 case of rectal injury and 1 case of presacral venous plexus hemorrhage.The complications were 6%.Postoperative rectal leakage occurred in 2 cases ( 6%).The average hospitalization time after operation was ( 6.7 ± 4.3) days.Of 33 cases, 2 cases were lost.One case had recurrence of presacral cyst one year after operation.Conclusion Laparoscopic resection of presacral cysts is technically feasible,and helps to improve intraoperative exposure,increase operating space and improve the resection rate of tumors.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and feasibility of the posterior transsphincteric approach for rectovaginal fistulas repair.

METHODData of 23 cases of rectovaginal fistulas treated by the transsphincteric approach in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, from April 1994 to May 2014 were reviewed. The success rate of this surgical procedure and the postoperative complications were analyzed.

RESULTSThe procedure of the transsphincteric approach for the repair of rectovaginal fistulas was performed successfully in all 23 cases. Three patients(13%) suffered surgical wound infection, which healed after regular dressing changes. In 19 cases, the fistulas were successfully repaired with an initial healing rate of 82.6%. The surgical repair failed to accomplish initial healing in 3 cases(13%). No complications including rectocutaneous fistula or anal sphincter malfunction occurred in these patients.

CONCLUSIONThe transsphincteric approach for the repair of rectovaginal fistulas is a safe and feasible procedure with a good success rate.

Anal Canal ; Female ; Humans ; Rectovaginal Fistula ; Wound Healing

OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and feasibility of transanal endoscopic microsurgery combined with laparoscopic total mesorectal resection for lower rectal cancer.

METHODClinical data of seventeen patients with low rectal cancer undergoing the transanal endoscopic microsurgery combined with laparoscopic total mesorectal resection in our department from November 2014 to June 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. The main outcome measures included the operative time, intra-operative blood loss, the intra- and post-operative complication rate, the distal resection margin (DRM) length and the circumferential resection margin(CRM) status of the pathological specimen, as well as the number of lymph nodes retried.

RESULTSThe surgery was completed smoothly for all the patients in this studying group, with no conversion to open surgery. Among all the seventeen patients, seven had a body mass index (BMI) of over 25. The average operative time was (178.0 ± 32.3) min. The average intra-operative blood loss was (50.6 ± 43.98) ml. The complications included one case of intra-operative presacral venous hemorrhage(5.9%), and 3 cases of post-operative anastomotic leak (17.6%). The average distance from the distal resection margin to the lower edge of the tumor was (2.2 ± 1.6) cm. The distal, proximal, and circumferential resection margins were all negative in 17 patients. The average number of lymph nodes retrieved was 14.5 ± 6.9. The average postoperative hospital stay was (10.6 ± 6.7) d. Patients were followed up for an average period of (7.0 ± 2.6) months.

CONCLUSIONTransanal endoscopic microsurgery combined with laparoscopic total mesorectal resection in the treatment of lower rectal cancer is technically safe and feasible.

Anastomotic Leak ; Blood Loss, Surgical ; Colonoscopy ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Retrospective Studies ; Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery

Objective: To introduce a new technique of protective ostomy using the specimen extraction auxiliary incision following laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer, and to compare the pros and cons of loop ileostomy (LI) and loop transverse colostomy (LTC). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. The data of patients who underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer and ostomy using the auxiliary incision in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2010 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: (1) patient underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy before operation; (2) patient was classified as tumor stage II or III; (3) patient was followed up and underwent stoma closure at our center; (4) ostomy was performed through specimen extraction incision. Patients with multiple gastrointestinal carcinomas or inflammatory bowel disease were excluded. Two hundred and eight patients were included in the study and divided into the LI group (n=86) and LTC group (n=122). The operation parameters and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Results: There were 135 males and 73 females (1.85∶1.00). Mean age of the 208 patients was (59.6±11.6) years (range 29-85 years). There were no significant differences between LI and LTC groups in baseline data (all P>0.05). All of the patients completed surgery successfully. The severe complication rate after ostomy was 2.9% (6/208). In the fecal diversion period, LI group showed significantly faster defecation [(1.6±1.0) days vs. (2.2±1.9) days, t=-2.918, P=0.004] and lower incidence of parastomal hernia [8.1% (7/86) vs. 19.7% (24/122), χ²=5.290, P=0.021], but higher incidence of peristomal dermatitis [18.6% (16/86) vs. 4.9% (6/122), χ²=9.990, P=0.002] as compared to LTC group. The incidence of renal insufficiency was lower in LTC group, though the difference was not significant [4.9% (6/122) vs. 10.5% (9/86), χ²=2.320, P=0.128]. The severe complication rate after stoma closure was 1.9% (4/208). In the stoma closure period, a significantly higher incidence of wound infection was noted in LTC group [18.0% (22/122) vs. 4.7% (4/86), χ²=8.258, P=0.004]. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the incidence of anastomotic leakage, stenosis, and incisional hernia (all P>0.05). All complications were improved after treatment. Conclusions Both LI and LTC through auxiliary incision following laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer are safe and feasible. LTC is an optional method for those patients with sensitive skin.

Objective:To investigate the incidence and influencing factors of anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer.Methods:The retrospective case-control study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 804 patients with rectal cancer who were admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences from January 2017 to December 2019 were collected. There were 521 male and 283 female, aged 63(range, 27-94)years. All 804 patients underwent laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer. Observation indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage; (3) follow-up; (4) influencing factors of postoperative anastomotic leakage; (5) subgroup analysis. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was conducted using the independent sample t test. Measurement data with skewed distribu-tion were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Univariate analysis was conducted using the chi-square test or independent sample t test. Factors with P≤0.2 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis. Results:(1) Surgical situations. All 804 patients underwent laparoscopic radical resection of upper and middle rectal cancer successfully, with the operation time and volume of intraoperative blood loss as 135(range, 118-256)minutes and 30(range, 5-350)mL. All 804 patients completed end-to-end colon rectal anastomosis, including 287 patients with reinforced sutures at the anastomotic site, and 517 patients with routine anastomosis. (2) Incidence of postoperative anastomotic leakage. Of the 804 patients, 40 patients had postoperative anastomotic leakage, with the incidence rate as 4.98%(40/804). (3) Follow-up. All 804 patients were followed up for 32(range, 6-49)months. None of patient died during the perioperative period. (4) Influencing factors of postoperative anastomotic leakage. Results of multivariate analysis showed that unreinforced suture at the anastomotic site was an independent risk factor for postoperative anastomotic leakage ( odds ratio=2.78, 95% confidence interval as 1.21-6.37, P<0.05). (5) Subgroup analysis. Of the 804 patients, 202 patients received neoadjuvant therapy and 602 patients did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. Of the 602 patients who did not receive neo-adjuvant therapy, cases with postoperative anastomotic leakage was 6 in the 253 patients with reinforced sutures, versus 21 in the 349 patients with routine sutures, showing a significant difference between them ( χ2=4.56, P<0.05). Conclusion:Unreinforced anastomosis at the anasto-motic site is an independent risk factor for anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic anterior rectal resection, especially for rectal cancer patients without neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) combined with imatinib for rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GIST). METHODS: Clinical data of 35 patients with rectal GIST undergoing TEM at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from February 2008 to May 2017 were analyzed retrospectively. Operation details, postoperative recovery condition, and follow-up information were reviewed. The differences in clinicopathological features and perioperative parameters were compared between patients who received neoadjuvant therapy (12 patients, imatinib mesylate, oral, 400 mg daily for 6 months before surgery) and those without neoadjuvant therapy (23 patients). RESULTS: Of 35 patients, 18 were males and 17 were females with the mean age of (49.3±13.3) years. Mean tumor diameter was (1.8±1.1) cm and mean distance from lower tumor margin to anal verge was (4.0±1.8) cm. Mean operative time was (82.4±21.1) minutes and mean blood loss was (11.7±7.5) ml. No conversion to laparotomy occurred. Complete resection with negative margins was achieved in all cases. Complications were classified according to Clavien-Dindo system: 4 cases of grade I, 3 of grade II and 1 of grade IIIb. The tumor size in patients who received neoadjuvant therapy reduced from (3.1±1.2) cm to (2.6±1.2) cm, though it was still larger than the tumor size in patients without neoadjuvant therapy[(1.5±0.8) cm, P<0.01]. No significant difference in operative time was found between patients with and without neoadjuvant therapy [(76.7±24.8) minutes vs. (85.4±18.8) minutes, P>0.05]. Thirty patients (85.7%) were followed up for (50.3±36.6) months, and no local recurrence or metastasis was observed. CONCLUSIONS TEM is safe and effective in the treatment of rectal GIST. Preoperative neoadjuvant therapy is beneficial to TEM in treating larger tumors without increasing operating time. Satisfactory follow-up result is observed.
Adult ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Humans ; Imatinib Mesylate ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery ; standards ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To preliminarily explore the value of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) in rectal cancer patients with clinical complete response (cCR) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT). Methods: Using descriptive case series method, Clinical data of 13 patients who met the criteria of nCRT and were considered to be cCR after MRI or CT scanning, digital rectal examination and colonoscopic biopsy, as well as no lymph node or distant metastasis were found, then underwent TEM from 2013 to 2016 at the Department of General Surgery of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were collected retrospectively. A 3-course combination of capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) was used for chemotherapy. Besides, a 6MV-X ray radiation was used as radiotherapy simultaneously. Six to eight weeks after completion of radiotherapy, a preoperative assessment was carried out with intrarectal ultrasound, MRI, or pelvic abdominal CT examination. TEM was performed afterwards with informed consent. Postoperative pathological findings and follow-up results were used to evaluate the value of diagnosis and treatment of TEM on those patients. Results: There were 8 males and 5 females with a median age of 63 (27-80) years. Preoperative examination showed that the lesions were located in the anterior wall in 3 cases, the posterior wall in 3 cases, the left side wall in 4 cases, and the right side wall in 3 cases. Before nCRT, the distance between tumor and anal margin was (4.8±1.1) (2.0-7.5) cm; after nCRT, this distance was (5.2±1.3) (3.0-7.5) cm. All the 13 patients underwent extended local resection of rectal cancer via TEM with the placement of urethral catheter. The average operative time was (52.2±3.7) (42-70) minutes, and the average intraoperative blood loss was (19.2±2.8) (5-30) ml. All the patients could engage in daily activities on postoperative day 1, and could cater themselves orally on postoperative day 2. The main discomfort was postoperative anal pain and foreign body sensation (n=5), which could be alleviated by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. One case had postoperative lung infection and was cured by antibiotic treatment. One case had urinary retention after removing urine catheter, and then a urine catheter was re-inserted. Average postoperative hospital stay was (2.8±2.4) (2-12) days. All specimens were completely resected via TEM. Histopathological examination confirmed that 7 specimens had achieved pathologic complete response (pCR) and the other 6 specimens had obtained partial tumor response of CAP grade 2. Seven patients with pCR received a median follow-up of 24 (8-48) months and no local recurrence or distant metastasis was reported during follow-up period. Among these 7 cases, one developed defecation dysfunction after discharge, mainly for defecation pain and even dare to defecate, who returned to normal defecation within 2 months after surgery; One developed severe anal pain within six months after surgery and the pain disappeared after symptomatic pain relief. The other 6 patients with CAP grade 2 refused to undergo further radical operation because of their strong desire in preserving anus, and received remedial adjuvant chemotherapy instead. Conclusion For rectal cancer patients with cCR after nCRT, TEM does have certain application values if the patient has a strong desire to preserve anus.