Abstract
Background: In 1983 G. Buess, in Germany, developed transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), a new minimally invasive technique for the treatment of rectal tumors.
Methods: Rectal lesions are excised through a modified rectoscope of 40 mm in diameter under stereoscopic control in the gas-dilated rectal cavity. Full-thickness excision, partialwall excision, or mucosectomy can be performed. Seventy-one patients were treated with the TEM technique in our department. Major complications were observed in one patient (1.4%). No mortality was reported.
Results: Histological examination revealed 40 (56.3%) villous adenomas, 6 (8.4%) pT1; 17 (23.9%) pT2; 5 (7%) pT3 carcinomas; and 3 (4.2%) other lesions. The recurrence rate was 2.8% for adenomas and 2.8% for carcinomas. The overall survival at mean follow-up of 17 months was 96.4%.
Conclusions: The advantages of TEM are less or no post-operative pain, unrestricted mobility, short hospitalization, quick rehabilitation, and absence of skin scars.
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Selected for the “Free papers session for EAES awards” at the Third International Congress on New Technology and Advanced Techniques in Surgery, Luxembourg, June 13–17, 1995
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Lezoche, E., Guerrieri, M., Paganini, A. et al. Is transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) a valid treatment for rectal tumors?. Surg Endosc 10, 736–741 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00193047
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00193047