Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: state of the art

INTRODUCTION

Total mesorectal excision (TME) remains the gold standard approach to the surgical treatment of rectal cancer^[1]. The application of this key technical principle has represented a revolution in rectal cancer surgery, demonstrating how the integrity of the mesorectal envelope is paramount in achieving excellent oncological outcomes in terms of local recurrence^[2]. Minimally invasive techniques have shown major benefits in the treatment of colon cancer, but rectal surgery is technically more demanding and the associated steep learning curve has made the laparoscopic approach less appealing.

Nevertheless, surgical techniques are constantly evolving and searching for less invasive approaches, particularly pursuing the principles of natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) represents an exciting goal. A further reduction in postoperative pain, less wound infections and hernias, better cosmetic results and a shorter time off work are the key advantages of these super-minimally invasive approaches^[3,4].

It is suggested that bulky colorectal specimens can be effectively excised transanally^[5] and several experimental studies have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of rectosigmoid transanal resection in animal and cadaveric models^[6,7].

Pure NOTES still requires significant improvement in instruments and technology to make the transition to the clinical arena and remains largely an experimental approach, while hybrid procedures such as natural orifice specimen extraction (NOSE) techniques combined with laparoscopy can reduce the impact of surgery further^[5,7,8].

As a result of these experiences, the first transanal rectal resection with a hybrid approach was described by Sylla et al.^[7] in a 76-year-old lady with a rectal cancer located at 8 cm from anal verge.

This first report, describing transanal TME (TaTME), aroused great interest because it demonstrated the feasibility of a hybrid NOTES procedure that could be applied to challenging real-life situations, such as the difficult TME for mid and distal rectal cancer.

Indeed, even in the hands of experts, rectal cancer surgery in obese, male patients with bulky, distal tumors can be extremely difficult, where the ballooning of rectum into the sacral concavity creates a sharp angle with the anal canal^[9]. In these cases, difficulty in staying in the correct dissection plane can easily result in an incomplete specimen with possible inadequate circumferential resection margin (CRM)^[10].

Despite the standardization of technique for TME, several studies have demonstrated that the quality of the final specimen is important in predicting cancer-related outcomes^[11,12]. Obese patients with low, anteriorly-located tumors, those treated with neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy, or those with a narrow pelvis are at particular risk of incomplete mesorectal excision^[13-15].

Laparoscopy offers the advantage of improved visualization of deep pelvic structures, but the limitations imposed by long and straight instruments, particularly applying traction and counter-traction maneuvers in a narrow space, remain significant challenges. In addition, laparoscopic stapling technology has proved rather inadequate and difficult to use low in the pelvis, increasing the risk of poor outcomes^[16,17].

TaTME was conceived and developed with the aim of overcoming these specific limitations, particularly in mid and low cancers. The closer, more detailed view of the pelvic structures makes the dissections from below more accurate and effective, leading to a better specimen. Inserting the purse-string below the tumor allows the surgeon to accurately control the distal resection margin (DRM). In the case of anterior tumors, with a high risk of an involved circumferential margin, the transanal approach can facilitate the dissection of Denonvilliers fascia, thus minimizing the risk of injuries to prostate, seminal vesicles, and the nerves of the inferior hypogastric plexus and nervi erigentes.

Because of these potential advantages, TaTME has gained wide interest in the colorectal community and represents an opportunity to improve patient outcomes; however, it remains a technically challenging operation and further research is required to prove its oncological efficacy when more widely adopted.

DEVICE AND TECHNIQUE

In 1983, Prof. Gerard Buess conceived transanal endoscopic microsurgey (TEM) and, in cooperation with Richard Wolf, created and developed the platform for endoscopic rectal surgery, with the aim to treat benign lesions of the upper and middle rectum not previously reached with conventional transanal approaches^[18,19].

Based on this model, the Transanal Endoscopic Operation (TEO; Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany) was developed, which provides a rigid operative rectoscope, compatible with many standard laparoscopic instruments without the need for a dedicated platform.

In 2009, in Orlando, Florida, Atallah and colleagues introduced the concept of transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS). This was inspired by devices already created for single-site surgery in the abdomen but were adapted for transanal access. This essentially created a flexible, transanal multiport device that could be used with a conventional laparoscope and laparoscopic instruments^[20].

To date, two transanal platforms, GelPoint Path (Applied Medical, Rancho Santa Margarita, Ca) and SILS Port (Covidien, Mansfield, Ma), have gained FDA approval for TAMIS. Clinical studies published thus far demonstrate that both these and rigid platforms such as TEM/TEO can be used for TaTME, but the review by Araujo et al.^[21] shows that only the 24.7% (37/150) of the preliminary TaTME cases reported were performed with a platform TEM/TEO.

TAMIS ports have now become the preferred option for surgeons dedicated to TaTME because, compared to rigid platforms, the soft, flexible port offers more versatile access to the whole circumference of the rectal lumen without multiple position changes during surgery, the equipment is quicker and easier to set up, and there may also be economic advantages^[22,23].

With improving experience and the dissemination of this approach through research and training, many different technical modifications have been introduced, although the cardinal principles of this procedure remain the same: to provide a complete mobilization of the mesorectum from the pelvic floor upwards according to the eight steps described by Whiteford and colleagues in 2007^[24].

TaTME can be performed either with two different surgical teams working simultaneously with abdominal and transanal dissection or with a two-step approach, using the same surgical team for both operative phases in sequence.

Abdominal phase: the abdominal phase is performed according to the standard approach and preference of the operating surgeon. It should be noted that either a planned open approach or a laparoscopic conversion does not preclude a transanal approach to the pelvis. If a sequential approach is used (usually due to the lack of two operating teams being available), then transabdominal dissection proceeds into the pelvis along the mesorectal fascia until it becomes technically challenging and the specimen or the surrounding key pelvic structures are at risk. Even in extremely challenging cases, the peritoneum will be divided anteriorly before changing to a transanal approach as this will facilitate entry into the abdominal cavity from below. Abdominal pneumoperitoneum is deflated, the insufflator is turned off, and the ports are closed prior to the legs being positioned for the transanal phase.

Transanal phase: the transanal phase commences with a digital rectal examination to ensure the rectum is empty and that the clinical findings correlate with the MRI scan. The placement of a self-fixing anal retractor (Lone Star CooperSurgical, Trumbull, CT, USA) may be useful to better expose the anal canal, particularly in male patients with a long anal canal. Insertion of the transanal platform should reveal distal rectal mucosa through the anal channel. Fixation of the TAMIS port to the anal margin, positioning of the ports in the gel-cap with attachment, and gentle insufflation will facilitate clear views and safe operating. Initial laparoscopic inspection will allow assessment of the height of the tumor from anal verge in order to plan the positioning of the purse-string and the rectotomy.

A purse-string suture is placed at least 10 mm distal to the tumor to seal the rectal lumen, and then rectal irrigation eliminates debris and prevents the possible implantation of free cancer cells.

Carbon dioxide is insufflated into the distal rectal lumen to obtain a stable pneumorectum with a pressure of 10-20 mmHg and the rectal mucosa is marked circumferentially with monopolar hook. A full thickness rectotomy is started, usually posteriorly where the plane between presacral fascia and mesorectum is more easily identified, but slightly laterally where the ano-coccygeal ligament is less easily encountered.

The rectal transection is performed by opening the different layers of the rectal wall until the mesorectal plane is identified. Once the whole circumference of the distal rectal wall has been divided, the rectal specimen will retract upwards slightly, revealing the posterior mesorectal fascia. At this stage, the closed purse-string can be reinforced with a second V-Loc^TM suture (Covidien, Mansfield, Ma) to reduce the risk of intraluminal leakage during the pelvic dissection. The posterior plane is developed first, anterior to the pre-sacral fascia and along the angel hair of the mesorectal fascia which is kept intact. The anterior plane is approached afterward, keeping the dissection in front or behind Denonvillier’s fascia according to the rectal cancer position. The lateral dissection can then proceed, using the areas of correct dissection from the front and back to guide the dissection; this will minimize the risk of injuries to the neurovascular structures laterally and antero-laterally. Mesorectal dissection should proceed in a cylindrical fashion avoiding distortion of the specimen. Entry into the abdominal compartment should be delayed as late as possible, as accurate mesorectal dissection is impaired once a communication is established between the two cavities. When the dissection is complete, a careful assessment is made of whether the specimen can be safely extracted transanally or not, considering the size of both the specimen but also the stage of the cancer. The length of the remaining distal rectal cuff will determine whether a hand-sewn anastomosis will be required or whether there is adequate tissue for a distal purse-string to be inserted in preparation for a stapled anastomosis. Distal purse-strings can be inserted laparoscopically or as an open procedure with the TAMIS port still in-situ but drawn distally to stent the anorectal lumen or with the TAMIS port removed and the Lone Star retractor giving access. Various methods of stapled anastomosis techniques have been described^[25].

Techniques to assess the vascular supply to the anastomosis have been described^[26], but one of the benefits of TaTME is direct inspection and palpation of the whole circumference of the anastomosis prior to the end of the operation. This may allow selective defunctioning stomas to be performed according to individual patient risk factors.

INDICATIONS

Ideal candidates for TaTME are patients with mid or low rectal cancer (within 10 cm from the anal verge), especially in male patients (because of the narrow pelvis or prostate hypertrophy/previous prostate surgery), obesity, bulky tumors, or after neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and, for these reasons, this approach may have the most to offer these patients. The San Gallen Consensus concurs that TaTME may be technically easier compared to abdominal techniques in this group of patients^[27].

Current practice suggests that selection of patients for TaTME includes a wider group of patients, particularly with regard with tumor location, as we can observe with the experience of Lacy or in the International Registry where tumors were proximally located in 20.7% and 38% of patients, respectively^[28,29], however this remains primarily a technique for those requiring TME.

Appropriate patient selection is of paramount importance, especially during the early learning curve and it is wise not to select very difficult cases before competence is reached. In this respect, expanding the indications for TaTME to include those patients who could easily be done laparoscopically may be required for training purposes.

PERIOPERATIVE RESULTS

Feasibility and safety of perioperative outcomes of TaTME have been extensively reported as well as limitations and shortcomings that need to be addressed.

Reduced estimated blood loss, shorter hospital stay, and lower readmission rates were recently reported in a meta-analysis of 17 studies^[30].

Compared to laparoscopic TME, a lower rate of conversion to open surgery has been observed, ranging between 0% and 9.1%^[22,31,32]. This correlated to the level of experience, as highlighted by Dejien and colleagues who compared low-volume centers performing TaTME (< 30 cases) to high-volume centers (> 30 cases) and reported conversion rates of 4.3% and 2.7%, respectively^[33].

Conversions during TME surgery are usually due to technical difficulties related to high body mass index (BMI) and the narrow male pelvis. Ma et al.^[32] showed that this accounted for 25% of conversions in TaTME patients vs. 47% in those undergoing laparoscopic TME. In most reported series, the occurrence of intraoperative complications provoke conversion, with tumor or patient features not directly affecting the operation outcome.

TaTME has also been shown to have a significantly shorter operation time, compared to laparoscopy^[34], and this is even more pronounced if the operation is performed with a simultaneous two-team approach^[35].

Concerning morbidity, several retrospective series or cohort studies reported on safety of TaTME, showing postoperative complication rates comparable with conventional laparoscopic or open TME data^[36].

The international TaTME registry including 720 patients reported an overall morbidity of 32.5%^[29], in line with several other monocentric series on TaTME^[22,37].

In a recent systematic review, TaTME and laparoscopic TME showed similar rates of intraoperative complications, although a lower rate of postoperative morbidity was reported in the transanal group^[32].

Several publications report a low incidence of anastomotic leak rate following TaTME, which in the largest meta-analyses available ranges between 5.7% and 6.1%^[33,38] and is similar to the results reported after conventional TME^[39].

Recently updated data from the multi-institutional International TaTME registry on 1594 patients over 30 months show an overall 30-day anastomotic leak rate of 7.8%^[40], not too far from the rate of 10% reported by Ma et al.^[32] in their systematic review.

Finally, the potential for major bacterial contamination as a consequence of the rectal transection, as shown by Velthuis with 39% of positivity of pelvic culture, suggests the risk for higher rates of pelvic sepsis, but this concern was not confirmed by subsequent studies^[41].

Indeed, the literature available reports an average rate of pelvic abscess of 2%-3%^[29,42] and more up to date review data confirm an overall incidence of 2.2%^[33].

Despite these encouraging results, TaTME has some very specific complications. Rouanet reported urethral injury in 6.6% of cases; however, this was a series of 30 difficult high BMI male patients, most following radiotherapy^[43]. However, urethral injury is a serious complication directly related to the transanal phase of the operation and is very uncommon during open or laparoscopic TME.

In the largest multi-institutional registry reporting on 720 patients, the occurrence of urethral injuries was 0.7% and was associated with bladder injuries, vaginal and rectal perforations, and damage to hypogastric nerves^[29].

Another matter of concern specific of this technique is the possibility by pneumo-pelvis of creating a false dissection plan, misleading the surgeon and increasing the risk of inadvertent damages of sidewall autonomic nerves and vessels laterally and of sacral venous plexus posteriorly^[29].

Finally, carbon dioxide embolism during TaTME, a rare but potentially life-threatening complication, was reported by Ratcliffe et al.^[44] and may occur in up to 0.4% of patients, mandating conversion to open and giving rise to postoperative morbidity^[45].

ONCOLOGICAL RESULTS

TaTME was conceived to overcome some of the technical challenges in rectal cancer surgery, enabling dissection of a high quality mesorectal envelope. Soon after its introduction, several preliminary reports showed a good quality mesorectum in almost all cases, negative circumferential and distal margins, and a level of lymph node harvesting comparable with the conventional approach^[37,46,47].

These results are important since an incomplete TME represents an independent risk factor for local recurrence, regardless of the achievement of circumferential and distal negative margins^[48].

With an intact mesorectal fascia, the likelihood of local recurrence, even with involved lymph nodes, is significantly lower than with a threatened one and is around 7.5%^[49].

Negativity of circumferential margin is another indicator of the quality of the rectal resection and its involvement is reported in 8%-10% of cases^[50].

Fernández-Hevia et al.^[22] confirmed this trend by comparing TaTME with laparoscopy in a match-controlled study showing similar numbers of lymph nodes harvested and negative circumferential margin in all cases.

Velthuis obtained similar results demonstrating that with a transanal approach a significantly higher rate of complete mesorectal excision could be achieved, compared with laparoscopic patients^[51].

In an early meta-analysis reporting data on 510 patients, a complete TME specimen was reported in 88% of cases and near complete in 6%, while CRM was positive in 5% of cases and the DRM in 0.3% of cases^[38].

Hu et al.^[52] showed that a complete mesorectal excision rate was 1.93 higher in the TaTME compared to laparoscopic TME, with a lower positive CRM rate, while positive DRM rate did not reach statistical difference.

Recently, in 513 TaTME procedures performed in the UK, optimal pathology was observed in 295 patients (92.8%), with an involved resection margin (R1) in 13 patients (4.1%)^[53].

Can these preliminary short-term pathological advantages translate into the final target of a lower recurrence rate?

Lelong et al.^[54] in a comparative series including 72 patients, with a median follow-up period of 31.9 months, demonstrated similar results following laparoscopic or TaTME (5.3% and 5.7% local recurrence rate, respectively), but, considering only patients with curative resections (no metastases at diagnosis), local recurrence rates were 5.7% and 0%, respectively.

A two-center experience of 159 TaTMEs procedures showed the 3- and 5-year local recurrence rates were 2% and 4.0%, respectively, with a median time to local recurrence of 19.2 months (range 5.9-30.0 months)^[55].

On the other hand, the Norwegian Colorectal Cancer Group expressed a warning against this technique, reporting a 9.5% rate of early local recurrence with rapid, multifocal growth in the pelvic cavity and sidewalls, and a median time to recurrence of 11 months. The observed local recurrence rate following laparoscopic TME was 3.4%^[56].

The small sample size of the experiences published thus far underline the need for a larger multicenter RCT for TaTME to better assess the long-term oncological results compared to conventional techniques.

FUNCTIONAL RESULTS

Bowel, sexual, and urinary dysfunction is common after rectal cancer surgery and is associated with social and psychological impairment. Anorectal disturbance can be caused by sphincter damage, reduced capacity of the neo-rectum, level of anastomosis, pelvic nerve damage, and the effects of radiotherapy. Up to one third of patients experience “anterior resection syndrome”, which is characterized by functional disorders such as urgency, increased bowel frequency, fragmentation, and incontinence. A similar proportion experiences genitourinary problems, including impotence and retrograde ejaculation in men and sexual dysfunction in both sexes.

The relationship between these functional complaints and the quality of life perception is difficult to establish and poorly reported in the literature. In general, major bowel and urinary alterations affect social functioning, while incontinence and fecal urgency also impact on mental health.

With acceptable perioperative and oncological results, functional outcome and quality of life measures after TaTME represent important outcomes for patients.

The transanal approach for low rectal cancer has not been shown to significantly increase bowel and urologic dysfunction, compared to conventional laparoscopy, but may be associated with better erectile function with a significantly higher rate of sexual activity^[57,58]. Quality of life and functional outcomes, assessed by validated questionnaires, showed acceptable outcomes after TaTME at 6 months after surgery^[59].

Rubinkiewicz et al.^[60], in a comparative study concerning the occurrence and severity of low anterior resection syndrome, reported similar results between TaTME and LaTME, with a prevalence still high in both groups (87% and 91%, respectively).

Assessment of patients after TaTME by transanal endoscopic ultrasound and physiological functional assessments concluded that TaTME has no impact on sphincter structure and evacuatory function, with about 10% of patients with major low anterior resection syndrome after 1 year^[61].

In conclusion, TaTME does not appear to increase the negative impact on functional and quality of life outcomes if compared to conventional laparoscopic transabdominal TME. Existing data concerning ano-rectal, urinary, and sexual function and quality of life following TaTME are still of low quality and further studies are needed in this area.

ROBOTIC TATME

Robotic approaches can overcome several of the technical difficulties associated with traditional laparoscopic surgery and allow high-quality maneuvers to be performed in narrow spaces such as the pelvic cavity. Recent studies demonstrate similar clinical and oncological results between robotic and laparoscopic transabdominal surgical procedures^[62], but, at present, no significant benefit of robotic over laparoscopic surgery seems to be detectable, except perhaps conversion rates.

The application of robotic technology to TaTME (rTaTME) appears to be the next logical step in the evolution of minimal access surgery, allowing the benefits of improved dexterity, stability of the platform, and 3D-vision, while adhering to the principles of NOTES.

Small rTaTME case series have been reported demonstrating feasibility. Kuo et al.^[63] described a combined rTaTME and transabdominal single-site plus one port approach in 16 patients with low rectal lesions, showing good oncological results.

More recently, Hu et al.^[64] published a case series of 20 patients treated with r-TaTME with simultaneous laparoscopic-assisted abdominal phase performed with single-port placed at ileostomy site, demonstrating the applicability of this approach, but also highlighting some of the limitations of the Da Vinci Xi platform for transanal surgery.

The introduction of the robotic platform based on the single-port access may represent the start of a new era for robot-assisted transanal surgery, but ultimately smaller, more flexible robotic systems are required for true natural orifice procedures where scars are eliminated. If this can be combined with cost control, then a new era in surgery will be possible.

CONCLUSION

TaTME has demonstrated some tantalizing benefits for the surgeon and the patient, but remains controversial because of the lack of long-term oncological data and the technical operative challenges that make widespread dissemination difficult.

Some consider TaTME as the culmination of 30 years of progress in colorectal cancer surgery^[65]. Others, while applauding the results achieved to date, introduce a note of caution in their interpretation of the available data, as the majority of the published experience originates from highly trained surgeons in high-volume centers with great heterogeneity among studies^[66]. It is important that we avoid the indiscriminate adoption by inadequately trained surgeons that could undermine the progress achieved thus far^[67].

The debate will continue as to whether this should be an operation that is used selectively for the most difficult cases - in which case, expect worse outcomes - or whether it is a panacea to improve all rectal cancer surgery and therefore outcomes more widely^[43,46].

The distal third of the rectum remains challenging even in highly experienced surgical hands^[68] and could be difficult to reach transabdominally, sometimes at the price of an unavoidable derogation to principles of oncological radicality and nerve preservation. Even Bill Heald, the master of TME, in very challenging conditions used manual dissection to get out of otherwise impossible situations^[69].

For this reason, Heald himself has embraced and supported this conceptual revolution, considering the pneumodissection and the vision from below of great help in the challenging steps of the distal dissection, mainly on the anterior plane in the male pelvis, with a consequent better identification and preservation of nerves. Excited by Lacy’s message, he considered it as the future of rectal cancer surgery^[70].

With similar postoperative complications when compared to standard laparoscopic or open TME, remarkable short-term pathological and surgical results, and promising long-term oncologic outcomes, the available literature suggests that TaTME is safe and feasible in the hands of surgeons who have had proper training and been supported through the early learning curve. If this technique is to be widely adopted, then formal training programs with adequate resources will have to be available to facilitate wider adoption without the increase in complications^[71].

The multicentric randomized controlled trial COLOR III, designed to compare TaTME and Laparoscopic TME is currently underway and will produce more reliable evidence concerning the quality of this type of surgery.

If the results already demonstrated are confirmed, TaTME should be considered among the gold standard approaches to be offered to selected high-risk patients with rectal cancer.