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Total Mesorectal Excision: Embryology, Anatomy, Technique and Outcomes

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Comprehensive Rectal Cancer Care

Abstract

The surgery and outcomes for rectal cancer have improved dramatically largely as a consequence of the initial description and subsequent popularization of total mesorectal excision (TME) [1, 2]. The procedure of TME entails the removal of the rectum (surrounded by the mesorectum which is encompassed by the mesorectal fascia) with division of the muscle tube at the level of the anal canal. TME is particularly applicable for what is termed a “low” anterior resection where intestinal continuity is restored by a colo-anal anastomosis. The anastomosis after TME will effectively be within 3–4 cms of the anal verge.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, Hampshire Hospitals Foundation Trust, Basingstoke, UK

    Ashish Gupta, Sanjeev Dayal & Brendan J. Moran

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  1. Ashish Gupta
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  2. Sanjeev Dayal
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  3. Brendan J. Moran
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Correspondence to Brendan J. Moran .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Mary Kwaan

  2. University of Melbourne, Victoria, VIC, Australia

    Andrew Zbar

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Gupta, A., Dayal, S., Moran, B.J. (2019). Total Mesorectal Excision: Embryology, Anatomy, Technique and Outcomes. In: Kwaan, M., Zbar, A. (eds) Comprehensive Rectal Cancer Care. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98902-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98902-0_7

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