Figure 1

Three-dimensional (3D) visualization of the total mesorectal excision (TME) dissection plane. (a) A T2-weighted magnetic resonance image was superimposed on the contrast-enhanced computed tomography image. The line of TME dissection was manually traced (red line). (b) Created 3D images of the TME dissection plane. (c) A 3D image of the TME dissection plane in a male patient. The primary tumor, swollen lymph node, pelvic bone, external iliac artery, levator ani muscle, prostate, and seminal vesicle are also shown. (d) Comparison of the 3D TME dissection plane image and intraoperative image of the pelvic cavity after TME and resection of the rectum in the same patient.