A New Reusable Platform for TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery: First Experience

Abstract

Introduction: TransAnal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) has generated interest and attracted research in the last decade. This approach is used to treat primary benign and malignant diseases, but it can also be adopted to resolve colorectal complications, such as leak and fistula, bleeding and stenosis. A new reusable transanal platform formed by a new port and monocurved instruments has been invented and here presented.

Materials and methods: The first experience included 13 patients submitted to TAMIS for rectal adenocarcinoma (8), immediate colorectal leak (1), early rectovaginal fistula (1), late colorectal fistula (1), immediate colorectal bleeding (1), and benign stenosis (1). Mean age was 62.3 years (38-74), and mean BMI was 25.2 kg/m2 (20.5-32.1).

Results: Mean operative time for transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) was 149.2 minutes (96-193) and for the other procedures 80.6 minutes (15-163). Mean operative bleeding was 51.1 cc (0-450). Mean hospital stay was 5.0 days (2-8). The 3 patients with coloanal anastomosis presented diarrhea postoperatively. No other early postoperative complications were registered. Pathologic report in the oncologic diseases showed that a mean number of 14.7 nodes (16-20) were removed. After a mean follow-up of 8 months (1-14), there were no late complications in any of the 13 patients treated.

Conclusion: TAMIS is a feasible alternative approach to treat rectal cancer and a completely new technique to manage colorectal complications. Moreover, this new transanal platform offers surgeons a satisfactory working ergonomy, with no increase in cost of the procedures, because entirely reusable materials are adopted.