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Rectal cancer

Notable potential of NOTES for rectal cancer treatment

Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology volume 12, page 3 (2015)Cite this article

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Endoscopic transanal proctectomy (ETAP) has shown promise as a minimally invasive procedure to treat rectal cancer, according to the findings of a recent prospective, multicentre study published in Annals of Surgery.

“A few years ago, surgeons began investigating dissection of the lower part of the rectum from a transanal approach (when a total proctectomy has to be performed) because dissection of the distal rectum is difficult from above,” explains author Jean-Jacques Tuech. This natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) approach has many advantages over laparoscopic surgery in this setting; for example, excessive traction during laparoscopic surgery can lead to fracture of the mesorectum and injury to hypogastric nerves.

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References

  1. Tuech, J.-J. et al. A step towards NOTES total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. Ann. Surg. 10.1097/SLA.0000000000000994

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Authors
  1. Isobel Leake
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Leake, I. Notable potential of NOTES for rectal cancer treatment. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 12, 3 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2014.197

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