Transanal minimally invasive surgery: how can it help us?

Introduction

Previously, rectal lesions, both benign and malignancies, were initially managed with local transanal excision (TAE) with the assistance of anal retractors (Park’s transanal technique). This approach has its limitations, such as poor visibility, fragmented specimens, and difficulties in accessing proximal two-thirds lesions^[1]. Subsequently, transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) was introduced to overcome the drawbacks of TAE. TEM has shown to be superior to TAE, resulting in less fragmentation and better quality of excision. TEM also shows lower incidences of local recurrence in well-selected T1 rectal cancer^[2,3]. However, this technique was not well adopted due to its high cost and steep learning curve.

Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) was introduced in 2009 and in the span of a few years gained multiple international experiences. TAMIS is defined as the use of any multichannel port transanally together with standard laparoscopic camera and a standard CO2 insufflator. This approach has now been well accepted as it does not incur additional costs and has a lower learning curve. Besides aiding in excision of rectal lesions, this method has been adopted for a variety of other procedures such as transanal total mesorectal excision (TME), repair of rectovaginal/rectourethral fistulas, repair of anastomotic complication after low anterior resection, etc. This review details the progress of transanal surgery and the use of TAMIS in different scenarios.

TAMIS for local excision of rectal lesions

Since Park technique was first described in 1968, approaches for local excision of rectal tumors have undergone many changes. TAE evolved to TEM, which was first described by Buess et al.^[4]. However, this approach was not popularized due to the cost and the steep learning curve. With the advancement in natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery, TAMIS was introduced in 2009^[5]. Now, TAMIS is a reasonably good platform for the local excision of multiple rectal neoplasms, such as benign adenomas, lesions with high grade dysplasia, neuroendocrine tumors, and well-selected malignant rectal lesions.

Indication

The indications for TAMIS do not differ from those of TAE or TEM for both benign and malignant lesions that have been assessed preoperatively with endoscopy and complimented by endoanal/endorectal ultrasonography and/or magnetic resonance imaging^[6-8]. For benign lesions, it could be large adenoma, high grade dysplasia, or incompletely excised lesion through colonoscopy. For malignant lesions, early rectal cancers that are confined to the submucosal layer (T1 lesions) are best suited for TAMIS.

T1 adenocarcinoma of the rectum can be categorized into low-risk lesions and high-risk lesions based on the risk of recurrence/metastasis. This can be further categorized into low-risk T1 adenocarcinomas of the rectum, which are described as small lesions less then 4 cm in diameter; Haggits 1-3 lesions; Kikuchi sm1 lesions; and well-differentiated cancer with no lymphatic, vascular, or perineural invasion^[6]. High-risk lesions are Haggits 4; Kikuchi sm2/sm3, poorly differentiated tumors; signet cell lesions; presence of tumor budding; lymphovascular involvement; absence of lymphoid infiltration; and young patients (< 45 years old). This is due to T1 lesions having risk of LN metastasis of up to 10%-15%. However, with sub analysis, sm1 lesions only carry 1%-3% risk of lymph node (LN) metastasis while the risk increases to 8% for sm2 lesions and 23% for sm3 lesions. Similarly, Haggits 1-3 lesions have less than 1% risk of lymph node metastasis, while, for Haggits 4 lesions, the risk is about 12%-15%. Hence, high-risk lesions should ideally be treated as T2 lesions^[7,8] and they should be discussed in multi-disciplinary team meetings for a holistic approach of management.

It is sometimes difficult to distinguish T1 or T2 lesions preoperatively, and, for these, TAMIS could be a platform for the resection of these lesions and guide the further management based on the final pathology report. Hence, it is wise to counsel these patients on the possibility of formal radical resection if the pathology report is unfavorable, high-risk T1 or T2 lesions. TAMIS resection could also be an option for palliation for T3 tumors when patients are unfit to undergo a radical resection.

Safety and feasibility

Multiple studies have been published on the safety and feasibility of TAMIS^[5,9-17], with Albert and Atallah publishing one of the biggest series. They reported an overall loco-regional recurrence rate of 4.3%, with positive margins of 6% in their 20-month follow up study^[16], whereas Keller and Haas reported 6.6% of their patients with positive margin and only one patient had local recurrence at median follow up of 39.5 months^[13].

Penetration into the peritoneal cavity is unavoidable during local excision of malignant lesions that are located at the anterior wall of the upper rectum (above the peritoneal resection). Chen et al.^[18] reported about 16% of peritoneal entry for lesions at the upper rectum. During local excision of malignant lesions, it is necessary to excise the lesion in full thickness as there is a possibility of an invasive component^[19]. Not surprisingly, partial excision will lead to significant positive margins, which translates to loco regional recurrence^[20]. Dufresme et al.^[21] described the usage of a laparoscopic stapler for excision of high rectal sessile polyps as an approach to prevent peritoneal breech. However, the evidence supporting this approach is only backed by a short series of five cases.

Learning curve for TAMIS

Assessing the surgical technique competency in TAMIS, Maya et al.^[22] reported that four cases are adequate. Chen et al.^[18], however, mentioned that at least 10 cases are necessary to obtain proficient skills. Clermonts et al.^[23] stated that a standardized institutional protocol with proficient proctorship could lead to a shorter learning curve with only 6-10 cases, but ideally 18-31 cases, being required.

Which is better?

TEM and TAMIS have been compared in multiple papers. Lee et al.^[24] reported that there are no statistical differences in the quality of obtained specimens, peritoneal entry, postoperative complications, five-year disease free survival, and incidence of local recurrence for those who did not undergo salvage surgery. After analyzing 428 patients (247 with TEM and 181 with TAMIS), it was concluded that the cost, availability, and surgeon’s preference should determine the choice of the platform.

TAMIS for proctectomy and transanal TME

Standardization of TME as well as the selective use of chemoradiotherapy has brought significant improvement in the management of rectal cancer^[25]. Local recurrence rates have dropped to < 6% when TME is performed with negative circumferential resection margin and distal resection margin, together with neoadjuvant radiotherapy. The local recurrence was as high as 45% without TME and dropped to 10% with TME alone^[26,27].

The first laparoscopic-assisted TME was performed on a 76-year-old woman with rectal cancer in 2009. Since then, multiple articles have been published on TME. The concept of TME came into existence due to the ease in reaching the distal rectum, which would otherwise be technically challenging with the conventional transabdominal TME approach, especially for patients with high body mass index, narrow male pelvis, or bulky low rectal tumors. Indirectly, this leads to a lower conversion rate and better pathological outcomes (distal margin) compared to the transabdominal approach^[28]. A meta-analysis by Jiang et al.^[29] demonstrated that TME leads to longer circumferential and distal resection margins. This approach also reduces the risk of positive circumferential margin.

However, a Norwegian team reported an unexpectedly high local recurrence after TME (9.5%)^[30] but data from two of The Netherland’s high-volume hospitals reported otherwise. Their data show local recurrence of only 3.8% over a mean follow up of 54.8 months^[31]. The currently undergoing GRECCAR 11 and COLOR III randomized control trials will be able to elucidate the long-term oncological outcomes of low and mid rectal cancer with the transanal approach^[32].

TAMIS for lateral pelvic node dissection and pelvic exenteration

Lateral pelvic lymph node (LPLN) metastases in patients with colorectal cancers are usually seen in advanced cases. Some studies have shown neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy to be inadequate and a surgical approach remains an option to be considered^[33,34]. Laparoscopic LPLN dissection is technically challenging, especially in obese patients with narrow pelvis. It is difficult to access those lymph nodes at the inferior margins of the lateral pelvis via laparoscopic approach. Aiba et al.^[35] and Zeng et al.^[36] demonstrated that transanal LPLN dissection is feasible, safe, and promising in well-selected patients. Hayashi et al.^[37] published that pelvic exenteration is also possible with the TAMIS platform.

TAMIS for excision perirectal lesions

Excision of perirectal/pararectal lesion can be difficult even with open techniques due to the narrow space and low accessibility. The lesion frequently needs to be excised together with the rectum. TAMIS can been used to excise pararectal/perirectal lesions without the need for proctectomy or abdominal perineal resection. McCarrol and Moore^[38] reported their success in excising a retro rectal cyst (tailgut cyst) in a 23-year-old patient. Furthermore, TAMIS has also been used for the excision of rectal GIST^[39,40].

TAMIS for complication of low rectal anastomosis

Anastomotic leak after a low anterior resection can be devastating. These patients often require repeat surgery and it is usually laparotomy. However, with high degree of suspicion and early intervention, these complications could be handled with minimally invasive approaches as well. Chen et al.^[41] reported on methods to manage anastomotic leaks post anterior resections using laparoscopic lavage and transanal endoluminal repair on transanal endoscopic operation platform. Patients, in whom the anastomotic leak was detected early (within five days), did not require conversion to laparotomy and were able to be discharged promptly. Olavarria et al.^[42] reported a case managing presacral abscess post anastomotic leak through three sessions of septotomies and debridement through TAMIS before successfully reversing the ileostomy. In a completely occluded anastomosis after a low anterior resection, Bong and Lim^[43] managed to excise the fibrotic tissue at the stenotic site and regain the continuity of the canal.

Conclusion

TAMIS is an evolving surgical approach and should remain an option to be considered in the management of patients. With an increasing number of surgeons becoming familiar with TAMIS procedures, the indication for this approach expands. However, a structured training program including proctoring to ensure safe implementation of the procedure is necessary for beginners to obtain the necessary skills to prevent unnecessary complications, as this is still a relatively new approach.