Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Techniques in Coloproctology 8/2019

01-08-2019 | Rectal Cancer | Original Article

Surgical techniques in the management of rectal cancer: a modified Delphi method by colorectal surgeons in Australia and New Zealand

Authors: S. W. Bell, A. G. Heriot, S. K. Warrier, C. K. Farmer, A. R. L. Stevenson, I. Bissett, J. C. Kong, M. Solomon

Published in: Techniques in Coloproctology | Issue 8/2019

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Technological developments have allowed advances in minimally invasive techniques for total mesorectal excision such as laparoscopy, robotics, and transanal surgery. There remains an ongoing debate about the safety, benefits, and appropriate clinical scenarios for which each technique is employed. The aim of this study was to provide a panel of expert opinion on the role of each surgical technique currently available in the management of rectal cancer using a modified Delphi method.

Methods

Surveys were designed to explore the key patient- and tumor-related factors including clinical scenarios for determining a surgeon’s choice of surgical technique.

Results

Open surgery was favoured in obese patients with an extra-peritoneal tumor and a positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) or T4 tumor when a restorative resection was planned. Laparoscopy was favoured in non-obese males and females, in both intra- and extra-peritoneal tumors with a clear CRM. Robotic surgery was most commonly offered to obese patients when the CRM was clear and if an abdominoperineal resection was planned. Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) was preferred in male patients with a mid or low rectal cancer, particularly when obese. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery/transanal minimally invasive surgery local excision was only offered to frail patients with small, early stage tumors.

Conclusions

All surgical techniques for rectal cancer dissection have a role and may be considered appropriate. Some techniques have advantages over others in certain clinical situations, and the best outcomes may be achieved by considering all options before applying an individualised approach to each clinical situation.
Literature
1.
go back to reference Birbeck KF, Macklin CP, Tiffin NJ, Parsons W, Dixon MF, Mapstone NP, Abbott CR, Scott N, Finan PJ, Johnston D, Quirke P (2002) Rates of circumferential resection margin involvement vary between surgeons and predict outcomes in rectal cancer surgery. Ann Surg 235:449–457CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Birbeck KF, Macklin CP, Tiffin NJ, Parsons W, Dixon MF, Mapstone NP, Abbott CR, Scott N, Finan PJ, Johnston D, Quirke P (2002) Rates of circumferential resection margin involvement vary between surgeons and predict outcomes in rectal cancer surgery. Ann Surg 235:449–457CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
2.
go back to reference Cedermark B, Dahlberg M, Glimelius B, Pahlman L, Rutqvist LE, Wilking N (1997) Improved survival with preoperative radiotherapy in resectable rectal cancer. N Engl J Med 336:980–987CrossRefPubMed Cedermark B, Dahlberg M, Glimelius B, Pahlman L, Rutqvist LE, Wilking N (1997) Improved survival with preoperative radiotherapy in resectable rectal cancer. N Engl J Med 336:980–987CrossRefPubMed
3.
go back to reference Rickles AS, Dietz DW, Chang GJ, Wexner SD, Berho ME, Remzi FH, Greene FL, Fleshman JW, Abbas MA, Peters W, Noyes K, Monson JR, Fleming FJ (2015) High rate of positive circumferential resection margins following rectal cancer surgery: a call to action. Ann Surg 262:891–898CrossRefPubMed Rickles AS, Dietz DW, Chang GJ, Wexner SD, Berho ME, Remzi FH, Greene FL, Fleshman JW, Abbas MA, Peters W, Noyes K, Monson JR, Fleming FJ (2015) High rate of positive circumferential resection margins following rectal cancer surgery: a call to action. Ann Surg 262:891–898CrossRefPubMed
4.
go back to reference den Dulk M, Collette L, van de Velde CJ, Marijnen CA, Calais G, Mineur L, Maingon P, Radosevic-Jelic L, Daban A, Bosset JF (2007) Quality of surgery in T3–4 rectal cancer: involvement of circumferential resection margin not influenced by preoperative treatment. Results from EORTC trial 22921. Eur J Cancer (Oxford, England: 1990) 43:1821–1828CrossRef den Dulk M, Collette L, van de Velde CJ, Marijnen CA, Calais G, Mineur L, Maingon P, Radosevic-Jelic L, Daban A, Bosset JF (2007) Quality of surgery in T3–4 rectal cancer: involvement of circumferential resection margin not influenced by preoperative treatment. Results from EORTC trial 22921. Eur J Cancer (Oxford, England: 1990) 43:1821–1828CrossRef
5.
go back to reference Heald RJ, Ryall RD (1986) Recurrence and survival after total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. Lancet 1:1479–1482CrossRefPubMed Heald RJ, Ryall RD (1986) Recurrence and survival after total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. Lancet 1:1479–1482CrossRefPubMed
8.
go back to reference Jayne D, Pigazzi A, Marshall H, Croft J, Corrigan N, Copeland J, Quirke P, West N, Rautio T, Thomassen N, Tilney H, Gudgeon M, Bianchi PP, Edlin R, Hulme C, Brown J (2017) Effect of robotic-assisted vs conventional laparoscopic surgery on risk of conversion to open laparotomy among patients undergoing resection for rectal cancer: the ROLARR Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 318:1569–1580CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Jayne D, Pigazzi A, Marshall H, Croft J, Corrigan N, Copeland J, Quirke P, West N, Rautio T, Thomassen N, Tilney H, Gudgeon M, Bianchi PP, Edlin R, Hulme C, Brown J (2017) Effect of robotic-assisted vs conventional laparoscopic surgery on risk of conversion to open laparotomy among patients undergoing resection for rectal cancer: the ROLARR Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA 318:1569–1580CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
9.
go back to reference Veldkamp R, Kuhry E, Hop WC, Jeekel J, Kazemier G, Bonjer HJ, Haglind E, Pahlman L, Cuesta MA, Msika S, Morino M, Lacy AM (2005) Laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery for colon cancer: short-term outcomes of a randomised trial. Lancet Oncol 6:477–484CrossRefPubMed Veldkamp R, Kuhry E, Hop WC, Jeekel J, Kazemier G, Bonjer HJ, Haglind E, Pahlman L, Cuesta MA, Msika S, Morino M, Lacy AM (2005) Laparoscopic surgery versus open surgery for colon cancer: short-term outcomes of a randomised trial. Lancet Oncol 6:477–484CrossRefPubMed
10.
go back to reference Nelson H, Sargent DJ, Wieand HS, Fleshman J, Anvari M, Stryker SJ, Beart RW Jr, Hellinger M, Flanagan R Jr, Peters W, Ota D (2004) A comparison of laparoscopically assisted and open colectomy for colon cancer. N Engl J Med 350:2050–2059CrossRefPubMed Nelson H, Sargent DJ, Wieand HS, Fleshman J, Anvari M, Stryker SJ, Beart RW Jr, Hellinger M, Flanagan R Jr, Peters W, Ota D (2004) A comparison of laparoscopically assisted and open colectomy for colon cancer. N Engl J Med 350:2050–2059CrossRefPubMed
11.
go back to reference Guillou PJ, Quirke P, Thorpe H, Walker J, Jayne DG, Smith AM, Heath RM, Brown JM (2005) Short-term endpoints of conventional versus laparoscopic-assisted surgery in patients with colorectal cancer (MRC CLASICC trial): multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet 365:1718–1726CrossRefPubMed Guillou PJ, Quirke P, Thorpe H, Walker J, Jayne DG, Smith AM, Heath RM, Brown JM (2005) Short-term endpoints of conventional versus laparoscopic-assisted surgery in patients with colorectal cancer (MRC CLASICC trial): multicentre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet 365:1718–1726CrossRefPubMed
12.
go back to reference Hewett PJ, Allardyce RA, Bagshaw PF, Frampton CM, Frizelle FA, Rieger NA, Smith JS, Solomon MJ, Stephens JH, Stevenson AR (2008) Short-term outcomes of the Australasian randomized clinical study comparing laparoscopic and conventional open surgical treatments for colon cancer: the ALCCaS trial. Ann Surg 248:728–738CrossRefPubMed Hewett PJ, Allardyce RA, Bagshaw PF, Frampton CM, Frizelle FA, Rieger NA, Smith JS, Solomon MJ, Stephens JH, Stevenson AR (2008) Short-term outcomes of the Australasian randomized clinical study comparing laparoscopic and conventional open surgical treatments for colon cancer: the ALCCaS trial. Ann Surg 248:728–738CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Stevenson AR, Solomon MJ, Lumley JW, Hewett P, Clouston AD, Gebski VJ, Davies L, Wilson K, Hague W, Simes J (2015) Effect of laparoscopic-assisted resection vs open resection on pathological outcomes in rectal cancer: the ALaCaRT randomized clinical trial. JAMA 314:1356–1363CrossRefPubMed Stevenson AR, Solomon MJ, Lumley JW, Hewett P, Clouston AD, Gebski VJ, Davies L, Wilson K, Hague W, Simes J (2015) Effect of laparoscopic-assisted resection vs open resection on pathological outcomes in rectal cancer: the ALaCaRT randomized clinical trial. JAMA 314:1356–1363CrossRefPubMed
14.
go back to reference Fleshman J, Branda M, Sargent DJ, Boller AM, George V, Abbas M, Peters WR Jr, Maun D, Chang G, Herline A, Fichera A, Mutch M, Wexner S, Whiteford M, Marks J, Birnbaum E, Margolin D, Larson D, Marcello P, Posner M, Read T, Monson J, Wren SM, Pisters PW, Nelson H (2015) Effect of laparoscopic-assisted resection vs open resection of stage II or III rectal cancer on pathologic outcomes: the ACOSOG Z6051 randomized clinical trial. JAMA 314:1346–1355CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Fleshman J, Branda M, Sargent DJ, Boller AM, George V, Abbas M, Peters WR Jr, Maun D, Chang G, Herline A, Fichera A, Mutch M, Wexner S, Whiteford M, Marks J, Birnbaum E, Margolin D, Larson D, Marcello P, Posner M, Read T, Monson J, Wren SM, Pisters PW, Nelson H (2015) Effect of laparoscopic-assisted resection vs open resection of stage II or III rectal cancer on pathologic outcomes: the ACOSOG Z6051 randomized clinical trial. JAMA 314:1346–1355CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
15.
go back to reference van der Pas MH, Haglind E, Cuesta MA, Furst A, Lacy AM, Hop WC, Bonjer HJ (2013) Laparoscopic versus open surgery for rectal cancer (COLOR II): short-term outcomes of a randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol 14:210–218CrossRefPubMed van der Pas MH, Haglind E, Cuesta MA, Furst A, Lacy AM, Hop WC, Bonjer HJ (2013) Laparoscopic versus open surgery for rectal cancer (COLOR II): short-term outcomes of a randomised, phase 3 trial. Lancet Oncol 14:210–218CrossRefPubMed
16.
go back to reference Kang SB, Park JW, Jeong SY, Nam BH, Choi HS, Kim DW, Lim SB, Lee TG, Kim DY, Kim JS, Chang HJ, Lee HS, Kim SY, Jung KH, Hong YS, Kim JH, Sohn DK, Kim DH, Oh JH (2010) Open versus laparoscopic surgery for mid or low rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (COREAN trial): short-term outcomes of an open-label randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol 11:637–645CrossRefPubMed Kang SB, Park JW, Jeong SY, Nam BH, Choi HS, Kim DW, Lim SB, Lee TG, Kim DY, Kim JS, Chang HJ, Lee HS, Kim SY, Jung KH, Hong YS, Kim JH, Sohn DK, Kim DH, Oh JH (2010) Open versus laparoscopic surgery for mid or low rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (COREAN trial): short-term outcomes of an open-label randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol 11:637–645CrossRefPubMed
17.
go back to reference Stevenson A, Solomon M, Brown C, Lumley J, Hewett P, Clouston A, Gebski V, Wilson K, Hague W, Simes J, ALaCaRT investigators (2018) Disease-free survival and local recurrence after laparoscopic-assisted resection or open resection for rectal cancer: the Australasian laparoscopic cancer of the rectum randomized clinical trial. Ann Surg. https://doi.org/10.1097/sla.0/03021 CrossRef Stevenson A, Solomon M, Brown C, Lumley J, Hewett P, Clouston A, Gebski V, Wilson K, Hague W, Simes J, ALaCaRT investigators (2018) Disease-free survival and local recurrence after laparoscopic-assisted resection or open resection for rectal cancer: the Australasian laparoscopic cancer of the rectum randomized clinical trial. Ann Surg. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1097/​sla.​0/​03021 CrossRef
18.
go back to reference Fleshman J, Branda M, Sargent D, Boller A, George V, Abbas M, Peters W, Maun D, Chang G, Herline A, Fichera A, Match M, Wexner S, Whiteford M, Marks J, Birnbaum E, Margolin D, Larson D, Marcello P, Posner M, Read T, Monson J, Wren S, Pisters P, Nelson H (2018) Disease-free survival and local recurrence for laparoscopic resection compared with open resection of stage 2 to 3 rectal cancer: follow-up results of the ACOSOG Z6051 randomized controlled trial. Ann Surg. https://doi.org/10.1097/sla.0/03002 CrossRef Fleshman J, Branda M, Sargent D, Boller A, George V, Abbas M, Peters W, Maun D, Chang G, Herline A, Fichera A, Match M, Wexner S, Whiteford M, Marks J, Birnbaum E, Margolin D, Larson D, Marcello P, Posner M, Read T, Monson J, Wren S, Pisters P, Nelson H (2018) Disease-free survival and local recurrence for laparoscopic resection compared with open resection of stage 2 to 3 rectal cancer: follow-up results of the ACOSOG Z6051 randomized controlled trial. Ann Surg. https://​doi.​org/​10.​1097/​sla.​0/​03002 CrossRef
19.
go back to reference Creavin B, Kelly ME, Ryan E, Winter DC (2017) Meta-analysis of the impact of surgical approach on the grade of mesorectal excision in rectal cancer. Br J Surg 104:1609–1619CrossRefPubMed Creavin B, Kelly ME, Ryan E, Winter DC (2017) Meta-analysis of the impact of surgical approach on the grade of mesorectal excision in rectal cancer. Br J Surg 104:1609–1619CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Lacy AM, Tasende MM, Delgado S, Fernandez-Hevia M, Jimenez M, De Lacy B, Castells A, Bravo R, Wexner SD, Heald RJ (2015) Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: outcomes after 140 patients. J Am Coll Surg 221:415–423CrossRefPubMed Lacy AM, Tasende MM, Delgado S, Fernandez-Hevia M, Jimenez M, De Lacy B, Castells A, Bravo R, Wexner SD, Heald RJ (2015) Transanal total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: outcomes after 140 patients. J Am Coll Surg 221:415–423CrossRefPubMed
21.
go back to reference de Lacy AM, Rattner DW, Adelsdorfer C, Tasende MM, Fernandez M, Delgado S, Sylla P, Martinez-Palli G (2013) Transanal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) rectal resection: “down-to-up” total mesorectal excision (TME)–short-term outcomes in the first 20 cases. Surg Endosc 27:3165–3172CrossRefPubMed de Lacy AM, Rattner DW, Adelsdorfer C, Tasende MM, Fernandez M, Delgado S, Sylla P, Martinez-Palli G (2013) Transanal natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) rectal resection: “down-to-up” total mesorectal excision (TME)–short-term outcomes in the first 20 cases. Surg Endosc 27:3165–3172CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Atallah S, Martin-Perez B, Albert M, deBeche-Adams T, Nassif G, Hunter L, Larach S (2014) Transanal minimally invasive surgery for total mesorectal excision (TAMIS-TME): results and experience with the first 20 patients undergoing curative-intent rectal cancer surgery at a single institution. Tech Coloproctol 18:473–480CrossRefPubMed Atallah S, Martin-Perez B, Albert M, deBeche-Adams T, Nassif G, Hunter L, Larach S (2014) Transanal minimally invasive surgery for total mesorectal excision (TAMIS-TME): results and experience with the first 20 patients undergoing curative-intent rectal cancer surgery at a single institution. Tech Coloproctol 18:473–480CrossRefPubMed
23.
go back to reference Araujo SE, Crawshaw B, Mendes CR, Delaney CP (2015) Transanal total mesorectal excision: a systematic review of the experimental and clinical evidence. Tech Coloproctol 19:69–82CrossRefPubMed Araujo SE, Crawshaw B, Mendes CR, Delaney CP (2015) Transanal total mesorectal excision: a systematic review of the experimental and clinical evidence. Tech Coloproctol 19:69–82CrossRefPubMed
24.
go back to reference Ma B, Gao P, Song Y, Zhang C, Zhang C, Wang L, Liu H, Wang Z (2016) Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) for rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of oncological and perioperative outcomes compared with laparoscopic total mesorectal excision. BMC Cancer 16:380CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Ma B, Gao P, Song Y, Zhang C, Zhang C, Wang L, Liu H, Wang Z (2016) Transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) for rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of oncological and perioperative outcomes compared with laparoscopic total mesorectal excision. BMC Cancer 16:380CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
25.
go back to reference Penna M, Hompes R, Arnold S, Wynn G, Austin R, Warusavitarne J, Moran B, Hanna GB, Mortensen NJ, Tekkis PP (2017) Transanal total mesorectal excision: international registry results of the first 720 cases. Ann Surg 266:111–117CrossRefPubMed Penna M, Hompes R, Arnold S, Wynn G, Austin R, Warusavitarne J, Moran B, Hanna GB, Mortensen NJ, Tekkis PP (2017) Transanal total mesorectal excision: international registry results of the first 720 cases. Ann Surg 266:111–117CrossRefPubMed
26.
go back to reference Rouanet P, Mourregot A, Azar CC, Carrere S, Gutowski M, Quenet F, Saint-Aubert B, Colombo PE (2013) Transanal endoscopic proctectomy: an innovative procedure for difficult resection of rectal tumors in men with narrow pelvis. Dis Colon Rectum 56:408–415CrossRefPubMed Rouanet P, Mourregot A, Azar CC, Carrere S, Gutowski M, Quenet F, Saint-Aubert B, Colombo PE (2013) Transanal endoscopic proctectomy: an innovative procedure for difficult resection of rectal tumors in men with narrow pelvis. Dis Colon Rectum 56:408–415CrossRefPubMed
27.
go back to reference Maglio R, Muzi GM, Massimo MM, Masoni L (2015) Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS): new treatment for early rectal cancer and large rectal polyps-experience of an Italian center. Am Surgeon 81:273–277PubMed Maglio R, Muzi GM, Massimo MM, Masoni L (2015) Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS): new treatment for early rectal cancer and large rectal polyps-experience of an Italian center. Am Surgeon 81:273–277PubMed
28.
go back to reference Renehan AG, Malcomson L, Emsley R, Gollins S, Maw A, Myint AS, Rooney PS, Susnerwala S, Blower A, Saunders MP, Wilson MS, Scott N, O’Dwyer ST (2016) Watch-and-wait approach versus surgical resection after chemoradiotherapy for patients with rectal cancer (the OnCoRe project): a propensity-score matched cohort analysis. Lancet Oncol 17:174–183CrossRefPubMed Renehan AG, Malcomson L, Emsley R, Gollins S, Maw A, Myint AS, Rooney PS, Susnerwala S, Blower A, Saunders MP, Wilson MS, Scott N, O’Dwyer ST (2016) Watch-and-wait approach versus surgical resection after chemoradiotherapy for patients with rectal cancer (the OnCoRe project): a propensity-score matched cohort analysis. Lancet Oncol 17:174–183CrossRefPubMed
29.
go back to reference Abbott SC, Stevenson ARL, Bell SW, Clark D, Merrie A, Hayes J, Ganesh S, Heriot AG, Warrier SK (2018) An assessment of an Australasian pathway for the introduction of transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME). Colorect Dis 20:O1–O6CrossRef Abbott SC, Stevenson ARL, Bell SW, Clark D, Merrie A, Hayes J, Ganesh S, Heriot AG, Warrier SK (2018) An assessment of an Australasian pathway for the introduction of transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME). Colorect Dis 20:O1–O6CrossRef
30.
go back to reference Deijen CL, Velthuis S, Tsai A, Mavroveli S, de Lange-de Klerk ES, Sietses C, Tuynman JB, Lacy AM, Hanna GB, Bonjer HJ (2016) COLOR III: a multicentre randomised clinical trial comparing transanal TME versus laparoscopic TME for mid and low rectal cancer. Surg Endosc 30:3210–3215CrossRefPubMed Deijen CL, Velthuis S, Tsai A, Mavroveli S, de Lange-de Klerk ES, Sietses C, Tuynman JB, Lacy AM, Hanna GB, Bonjer HJ (2016) COLOR III: a multicentre randomised clinical trial comparing transanal TME versus laparoscopic TME for mid and low rectal cancer. Surg Endosc 30:3210–3215CrossRefPubMed
31.
go back to reference Jeong SY, Park JW, Nam BH, Kim S, Kang SB, Lim SB, Choi HS, Kim DW, Chang HJ, Kim DY, Jung KH, Kim TY, Kang GH, Chie EK, Kim SY, Sohn DK, Kim DH, Kim JS, Lee HS, Kim JH, Oh JH (2014) Open versus laparoscopic surgery for mid-rectal or low-rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (COREAN trial): survival outcomes of an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol 15:767–774CrossRefPubMed Jeong SY, Park JW, Nam BH, Kim S, Kang SB, Lim SB, Choi HS, Kim DW, Chang HJ, Kim DY, Jung KH, Kim TY, Kang GH, Chie EK, Kim SY, Sohn DK, Kim DH, Kim JS, Lee HS, Kim JH, Oh JH (2014) Open versus laparoscopic surgery for mid-rectal or low-rectal cancer after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (COREAN trial): survival outcomes of an open-label, non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial. Lancet Oncol 15:767–774CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Surgical techniques in the management of rectal cancer: a modified Delphi method by colorectal surgeons in Australia and New Zealand
Authors
S. W. Bell
A. G. Heriot
S. K. Warrier
C. K. Farmer
A. R. L. Stevenson
I. Bissett
J. C. Kong
M. Solomon
Publication date
01-08-2019
Publisher
Springer International Publishing
Published in
Techniques in Coloproctology / Issue 8/2019
Print ISSN: 1123-6337
Electronic ISSN: 1128-045X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-019-02052-4

Other articles of this Issue 8/2019

Techniques in Coloproctology 8/2019 Go to the issue