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The TME has been the gold standard for surgical treatment of rectal cancer since the 80s. This operation should be performed by experienced surgeons to achieve a favorable oncological outcome and avoid complications such as leaks, urinary / sexual dysfunction, fecal incontinence, pain, prolonged recovery, etc.
Technological improvements and the evolution of surgical skills have led to a progression from an open approach to the laparoscopic approach to radical rectal cancer surgery, which has led a decreased complications rate.
The current era has moved one step forward in terms of the approach to perform the TME: the trans anal approach, which represents a solution to many issues not solved by previous minimally invasive approaches. In this lecture, Justin A. Maykel from UMass Memorial Medical Center, Massachusetts - USA talks about Clinical indications, patient selection and the limitations of transanal TME.