Transanal total mesorectal excision: how are we doing so far?

• Published in: Colorectal disease 2019-07, Vol.21 (7), p.767-774
• Main Authors: Sparreboom, C. L., Komen, N., Rizopoulos, D., van Westreenen, H. L., Doornebosch, P. G., Dekker, J. W. T., Menon, A. G., Tuynman, J. B., Daams, F., Lips, D., van Grevenstein, W. M. U., Karsten, T. M., Lange, J. F., D'Hoore, A., Wolthuis, A. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anesthesia; Classification; Complications; Health risk assessment; laparoscopic; Laparoscopy; minimal invasive surgery; Morbidity; Original; Patients; rectal cancer; Rectum; Statistical analysis; Surgery; transanal; Tumors
• ISSN: 1462-8910; 1463-1318
• DOI: 10.1111/codi.14601

Aim This subgroup analysis of a prospective multicentre cohort study aims to compare postoperative morbidity between transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) and laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LaTME). Method The study was designed as a subgroup analysis of a prospective multicentre cohort study. Patients undergoing TaTME or LaTME for rectal cancer were selected. All patients were followed up until the first visit to the outpatient clinic after hospital discharge. Postoperative complications were classified according to the Clavien–Dindo classification and the comprehensive complication index (CCI). Propensity score matching was performed. Results In total, 220 patients were selected from the overall prospective multicentre cohort study. After propensity score matching, 48 patients from each group were compared. The median tumour height for TaTME was 10.0 cm (6.0–10.8) and for LaTME was 9.5 cm (7.0–12.0) (P = 0.459). The duration of surgery and anaesthesia were both significantly longer for TaTME (221 vs 180 min, P