Rectal transection using a curved cutter stapler with an endo-Satinsky clamp during a laparoscopic low anterior resection

A new rectal transaction method was developed using a combination of the curved cutter stapler and endo-Satinsky clamp because of the difficulty in performing rectal transection in the narrow pelvic cavity.

The endo-Satinsky clamp is inserted without a flexible trocar cannula by connecting the handle extra-abdominally with a shaft of the endo-Satinsky clamp through the left higher quadrant port via a retrograde course from a midline incision above the pubis symphysis. The endo-Satinsky clamp is used to clamp the rectal wall horizontally at the distal end of the tumor. The wrist of an elastic surgical glove fixed with the shaft of the curved cutter stapler is covered with a midline incision, and consequently, the stapler is inserted into the pelvic cavity. The curved head of the stapler is rotated to the left at the anal side of the endo-Satinsky clamp to insert the rectum between the jaws of the stapler. The stapler is closed and fired, and a rectal transection is thus performed with one firing using a single cartridge.

This method was performed in 12 patients with rectal cancer. The median value and range of the tumor distance from the anal verge were 7.0 and 4.5–11.0 cm, respectively. The median duration of the operation was 252 min, and the median blood loss was 15 mL. Only one stapling cartridge was used for rectal transection in all cases, and no major complications were observed.

We herein demonstrated a new transection method for rectal cancer.