AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the technical and oncological feasibility of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) with coloanal @entity254 for mid and low @entity5 . METHODS: During a 2-year period, 50 @entity1 underwent laparoscopic TME with coloanal @entity254 for @entity189 located at a median of 4.5 (range 2-11) cm from the anal verge. Pre-operative radiotherapy was used in 46 @entity1 . Intersphincteric dissection was combined with the laparoscopic procedure to achieve sphincter preservation. RESULTS: Conversion to a laparotomy was necessary in six @entity1 . Postoperative mortality and morbidity were 2% and 28%, respectively. Morbidity was lower in @entity1 operated on during the second part of the study, who had extraction of the rectal specimen through a small laparotomy incision, than in those operated on during the first part of the study when removal of the specimen was by transanal extraction. Oncological quality of excision was safe in 44 @entity1 with intact or almost intact rectal fascia in 88% and R0 resection in 90%. At a median follow-up of 18 months, there was no local or port-site recurrence. CONCLUSION: This study confirms our preliminary results of oncological feasibility of laparoscopic TME with sphincter preservation for mid and low @entity5 , and showed that morbidity can be decreased by using a standardized surgical procedure.

Technical and oncological feasibility of laparoscopic total mesorectal excision with pouch coloanal @entity254 for XXXX .

@entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['rectal cancer'] @entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity254 :: ('MESH:C563598', 'Disease') :: ['anastomosis'] @entity189 :: ('MESH:D002277', 'Disease') :: ['rectal carcinoma']
@entity5 :: (MESH:D009369,Disease) :: ['rectal cancer']
