The Feasibility and Safety of Instruments in Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TaTME) for Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer comprises the most in colorectal cancer around the world, among which surgery remains the optimal therapeutic intervention. The TME (Total Mesorectal Excision), proposed by Bill Heald, provides novel insights for the eradication of possible disseminated cancer cells and therefore reduces the recurrence and mortality rates. However, either laparoscopic or open TME surgery is limited by the pelvic space and further improvement. For the last decade, the emerging of the natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) offers an alternative pattern for rectal cancer surgery, among which, the TaTME (transanal total mesorectal excision) represents the most optimized surgery techniques. Derived from TME, NOTES and modified laparoscopic instruments, TaTME facilitates the dissection process of rectal cancer from caudal to cranial, from indirect to direct vision. TaTME allows for accurate confirmation of resected margin with proper transecting level, better dissection of mesorectum and protection of sphincter, a qualified end-to-end anastomosis and reduced need of endolinear stapler and possible leakage afterwards. However, various kinds of instruments and surgical procedures have been proposed to complete TaTME, all of which have been validated by preclinical and clinical trials in small size. Of note, this study is initiated to apply a suit of instruments specifically designed for TaTME ( GelPoint pathway CS-Compact) and clinically evaluate the feasibility and safety of the new instruments without comparison to other prevailing ones. The CS-Compact and GelPoint pathway has been confirmed both safe and feasible to operate in preclinical trials and clinical trials in western. This study strictly examines the corresponding issues in Chinese rectal cancer patients. The surgeons in our institute have successfully completed the training programs of TaTME in preclinical trials, in animal models and cadavers. Clinical skills and knowledge to safe operations are qualified.