Skip to main content

Total Mesorectal Excision/Low Anterior Resection (Open, Laparoscopic)

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Chassin's Operative Strategy in General Surgery

Abstract

This chapter describes the detailed steps for a standard total mesorectal excision (TME) as applied during low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. The extent and approach (open versus minimally invasive) chosen for the resection may vary depending on the specifics (e.g., size) and the exact location of the target pathology (upper, middle, or lower third of the rectum). Multimodality treatment and possibly the presence of underlying risk constellations (hereditary cancer, inflammatory bowel disease) may affect the decision-making. This chapter includes information on indications, pitfalls and danger points, preoperative preparation, postoperative care, and complications. Detailed operative strategy and technique are included.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

eBook
USD 16.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 159.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Further Reading

  • American Medical Association. Current procedural terminology: CPT ®. Professional ed. Chicago: American Medical Association; 2022. https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/cpt.

  • Bonjer HJ, Deijen CL, et al. A randomized trial of laparoscopic versus open surgery for rectal cancer. N Engl J Med. 2015;372(14):1324–32.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Celentano V, Ausobsky JR, et al. Surgical management of presacral bleeding. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2014;96(4):261–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fleshman J, Branda M, et al. 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. 2015;314(13):1346–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • How P, Shihab O, et al. A systematic review of cancer related patient outcomes after anterior resection and abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer in the total mesorectal excision era. Surg Oncol. 2011;20(4):e149–55.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Monson JR, Weiser MR, et al. Practice parameters for the management of rectal cancer (revised). Dis Colon Rectum. 2013;56(5):535–50.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patel UB, Taylor F, et al. Magnetic resonance imaging-detected tumor response for locally advanced rectal cancer predicts survival outcomes: MERCURY experience. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(28):3753–60.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peeters KC, Marijnen CA, et al. The TME trial after a median follow-up of 6 years: increased local control but no survival benefit in irradiated patients with resectable rectal carcinoma. Ann Surg. 2007;246(5):693–701.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stevenson AR, Solomon MJ, et al. Effect of laparoscopic-assisted resection vs open resection on pathological outcomes in rectal cancer: the ALaCaRT randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2015;314(13):1356–63.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor FG, Quirke P, et al. Preoperative high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging can identify good prognosis stage I, II, and III rectal cancer best managed by surgery alone: a prospective, multicenter, European study. Ann Surg. 2011;253(4):711–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • van Gijn W, Marijnen CA, et al. Preoperative radiotherapy combined with total mesorectal excision for resectable rectal cancer: 12-year follow-up of the multicentre, randomised controlled TME trial. Lancet Oncol. 2011;12(6):575–82.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vennix S, Pelzers L, et al. Laparoscopic versus open total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;4:CD005200.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Andreas M. Kaiser .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2022 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Cologne, K.G., Senagore, A.J., Kaiser, A.M. (2022). Total Mesorectal Excision/Low Anterior Resection (Open, Laparoscopic). In: Scott-Conner, C.E.H., Kaiser, A.M., Nguyen, N.T., Sarpel, U., Sugg, S.L. (eds) Chassin's Operative Strategy in General Surgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81415-1_59

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-81415-1_59

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-81414-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-81415-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics