Abstract
Purpose
After a full-thickness total wall excision of a rectal tumor, suturing the defect is generally recommended. Recently, due to various contradictory studies, there is a trend to leave the defects open. Therefore, this study aimed to determine whether leaving the defect open is an adequate management strategy compared with suturing it closed based on postoperative outcomes and recurrences.
Methods
A retrospective review of our prospectively maintained database was conducted. Adult patients who underwent transanal surgery for rectal neoplasm in our institution from 1997 to 2019 were analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups: sutured (group A) or unsutured (group B) rectal defect. The primary outcomes were morbidity (early and late) and recurrence.
Results
In total, 404 (239 men) patients were analyzed, 143 (35.4%) from group A and 261 (64.6%) from group B. No differences were observed in tumor size, distance from the anal verge or operation time. The overall incidence of complications was significantly higher in patients from group B, which nearly double the rate of group A. With a mean follow-up of 58 (range, 12–96) months, seven patients presented with a rectal stricture, all of them from group B.
Conclusions
We acknowledge the occasional impossibility of closing the defect in patients who undergo local excision; however, when it is possible, the present data suggest that there may be advantages to suturing the defect closed.
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
Introduction
The optimal management for benign rectal neoplasm is endoscopic snare polypectomy; however, for large sessile villous polyps, surgical excision is indicated due to the high risk of malignancy [1]. Additionally, local excision is also the procedure of choice for carefully selected rectal carcinomas. For these lesions, local removal is an adequate treatment only if the tumor has been completely dissected, including the underlying muscularis propria, along with the normal mucosal margin [2, 3].
Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), introduced by Buess in 1985, was conceived to facilitate the removal of tumors located in the mid and upper rectum under direct vision [4]. With technology and minimal invasive instrument advancements, some other approaches are gaining acceptance as alternatives to TEM for local transanal rectal surgery [5, 6].
Regardless of the selected platform, the generally accepted last step of the technique is to suture the defect based on the traditional rectal surgical criteria. However, rectal wall defect closure is one of the most time-consuming parts of the procedure, representing a real challenge even for skilled surgeons, and is not feasible in some cases [7]. These facts raised doubts about the real benefits of this last step, with surgeons questioning whether leaving the defect open truly results in poor outcomes. In 2002, we conducted the only published randomized study on this topic. No differences in early or late complications were observed whether the defect was closed or left open [8].
Since then, some other observational studies have emerged, but with contradictory results [9]. To date, the debate is more alive due to the widespread implementation of transanal rectal surgery owing to improvements in surgical laparoscopic techniques.
Therefore, this study primarily aimed to analyze our series of transanal local excision of rectal tumors and to compare postoperative complications of patients with sutured with those with defects left open, trying to identify risk factors that could help surgeons make this decision.
Materials and methods
Study design
All demographic, preoperative and operative, pathological, and follow-up data of patients with rectal lesions eligible for local surgery from our department since 1997 are prospectively collected.
We performed a retrospective review of our institutional prospective database regarding all patients aged > 18 years treated with transanal full-thickness excision for benign sessile adenomas or early rectal carcinomas. Patients who underwent immediate radical surgery were excluded from this study.
Patients were divided into two groups based on whether the rectal defect was sutured (group A) or left unsutured (group B). The main outcome measures were the incidence of postoperative complications and recurrences. Severity was graded using the Clavien–Dindo classification. For the purpose of the study, only patients with a minimum follow-up of 12 months were analyzed.
Preoperative evaluation
Preoperative evaluation included a careful history taking, digital rectal examination, and full colonoscopy with biopsy. Rigid proctosigmoidoscopy was performed in all patients to determine the lesion level in the rectum. In this sense, our protocol was established according to Buess et al. [10], who defined the length of peritoneal reflection up to 12 cm anteriorly, 15 cm laterally, and 20 cm posteriorly. According to Najarian et al.’s study in 2005 [11], we avoided including any patient with an upper tumor margin further than 15 cm from the anal verge, regardless of the spatial location in the rectum.
The evaluation also included an endorectal ultrasound and pelvic MRI for patients with biopsy-proven adenocarcinoma since 2003.
All patients were fully informed about the procedure and were included after signing an informed consent.
Procedure
TEM equipment was indicated for most patients; however, the traditional transanal approach was used for the lowest lesions. Full-thickness excision was performed for all rectal tumors. In 2005, as an improvement of the existing technique [1, 3], an ultrasonic scalpel device from Ethicon (New Jersey, USA) was used [12]. During the early years of TEM at our institution, suturing the defect was the treatment of choice; however, using the results of our randomized study [8], this step was no longer routinely performed, and the decision was based on the surgeon’s preference.
Patients started a normal diet on the first postoperative day and were usually discharged home after tolerating the diet, achieving adequate pain control on oral analgesia, and normal observations of vital signs.
Follow-up
Patients were followed up at the outpatient clinic underwent anamnesis including the Cleveland clinic fecal incontinence severity score, digital rectal examination, and rigid proctosigmoidoscopy for the first time in 4 weeks, then every 3 months up to the second postoperative year, and at 6- to 12-month intervals thereafter.
Statistical analysis
Summary data are presented as mean and standard deviation for continuous variables and percentages for discrete variables. To evaluate an increased probability of having an open defect depending on demographic and preoperative characteristics, the odds ratio associated with logistic regression was calculated. To analyze the risk of showing different outcomes depending on open or closed defects, the odds ratio associated with logistic regression was calculated. All statistical tests were two-sided, and a p-value of < 0.05 was considered significant. Analysis was performed using R version 4.0.5 (2021–03-31).
Results
During the study period between January 1997 and December 2019, 404 (239 male) patients were eligible: 143 (35.4%) with defect closed and 261 (64.6%) with defect left open (Table 1). The mean age and size of the resected specimen were 68 (range, 20–92) years and 3.7 (range, 1–11) cm, respectively. Regarding the distance from the anal verge to the upper tumor margin, the overall mean was 9.6 (range, 2–20) cm. The mean distance was significantly higher during the first years, before we began to follow the recommendations of Niajara et al. in 2005 (11 vs. 8.4 cm).
Of the 404 included patients, the tumor was located anteriorly in 103 (25.5%) and posteriorly in 195 (48%) patients. Full-thickness excision was performed in all cases. Regarding dissection, the conventional monopolar scalpel was used in 190 patients (47%), and 214 were operated using the new ultrasonic device. The average operation time was 78 (range, 15–270) min. During the procedure, no unexpected complications occurred; however, the peritoneal cavity was entered in six (1.4%) patients; we could suture the opening in all except one patient, who needed assistance of laparoscopic sutures to close the opening.
When comparing the two groups (Table 1), patients who underwent defect closure (group A) had a higher incidence of female sex and laterally located lesions. No differences were observed in tumor size, mean distance from the anal verge, type of scalpel used, or mean operation time. A non-significant trend was observed to suture the defects when the patient underwent a biopsy of cancer (p = 0.06).
Regarding the primary outcome, the overall incidence of postoperative complications was of 27.7% (Table 2), the rate significantly different between the two groups: group B showed nearly double the complication rate of group A. Early postoperative morbidity was recorded in 51 (12.4%) patients. Bleeding was the most common, occurring in 30 (7.4%) patients, 23 of whom were from group B (p > 0.05). In seven patients with bleeding, a repeated TEM was required for hemostasis (Clavien–Dindo IIIb). Local sepsis was observed in four (0.9%) patients, one of whom also needed reoperation.
With a mean follow-up of 58 (range, 12–96) months, seven patients presented with a rectal stricture, all of them from group B (p < 0.05) and two ano-vaginal fistulae. Minor fecal incontinence was also recorded in 34 (8.4%) patients. All these complications were detected during the first postoperative year.
During the follow-up, local recurrence occurred in 44 (12.5%) patients (33 from group B and 11 from group A), and the mean duration for the onset of recurrence was 18 months. Recurrence occurred more frequently in group B, but this difference was not significant (p = 0.08).
Discussion
Endoscopic resection is the preferred management strategy for benign colorectal polyps, although removing superficial submucosal invasive cancers is recently accepted [13]. Local rectal surgery remains the standard management of broad-based polyps and selected low-risk rectal or small cancers in patients unfit for major surgery [14, 15]. Local excision can potentially balance acceptable oncological results and very good functional results by avoiding the morbidity of a radical resection [16].
Local excision of rectal tumors significantly improved the resection quality in the mid-1980s, when TEM emerged as a minimally invasive technique [17]. TEM allows full-thickness rectal resection and suture closure of the resultant defects under an excellent view of the entire rectal cavity. However, the considerable upfront cost of TEM instrumentation and difficulties of the technique in the pre-laparoscopic era limited its widespread use, and TEM remained a technique performed at a few reference centers [18].
Recently, the extensive development of laparoscopic and minimally invasive tools is expanding the possibilities of endoluminal surgery [19], and local rectal excision can currently be performed using not only the transanal approach or TEM equipment but also the transanal modified single-port procedure, known as the TAMIS procedure [5], or even robotic surgery [20]. Most postoperative complications associated with local full-thickness rectal excision (with either TEM or TAMIS) can be easily managed and usually occur during the first postoperative month [21,22,23].
In any case, as these new platforms are more easily accessible and regular laparoscopic instruments can be used, several laparoscopic surgeons have removed rectal tumors trans-anally. They are coping with the technical challenge of closing the surgical defect in the rectal wall after completing the local excision [24].
According to Buess [10], with the TEM equipment, the defect is closed by continuous running suture using a resorbable material. Then, different suturing methods have been described in the literature, such as Endo-GIA staplers [5], intracorporeal running sutures [25], or extracorporeal single suturing with a knot pusher [26].
Obviously, closure of an intraperitoneal perforation is mandatory; however, without peritoneal entry, the benefits of defect closure are still unclear. Thus, understanding the well-vascularized mesorectum provides a good medium for rectal wall regrowth. This concept, combined with the mentioned technical difficulties, are perhaps the reasons why some authors started a scientific debate, maintaining that leaving the defect open has similar outcomes as closing it [27] or even better results [28].
In 2002, we published the only randomized controlled trial on this subject to date. A total of 44 patients were prospectively randomized, 21 sutured and 19 unsutured, and no differences in early or late complications could be demonstrated [8]. However, this study is limited due to the low sample size, and data from the following observational non-randomized studies are contradictory.
On one hand, favorable defect closure was observed, such as that in the Brown et al. [29] single-cohort study that aimed to analyze early complications. With 342 patients included, authors found a significantly lower complication rate in the sutured closed group. They also found that the surgeon’s experience was a factor in suturing the rectal defect. In a multicenter study that also limited to comparing short-term complications, Lee et al. concluded no significant difference between sutured and unsutured defects; however, they recommended a selective approach due to bleeding trend in unsutured defects [30]. A third prospective study, with 53 patients recruited, found that the chance of having grade III postoperative complications was reduced 16-fold in sutured surgical defects [31].
On the other hand, an observational study in 2016 reported that defect closure after a transanal rectal excision was associated with higher morbidity [32]. In a study of 75 patients designed to evaluate peri-operative complications, Hahnloser et al. [9] concluded that the defect could be left unsutured without increasing complications or compromising continence. In this series, the surgeon was unable to suture the defect in approximately 30% of the patients.
In 2017, a meta-analysis that included four studies was published, yielding 489 patients (317 and 182 in the closed and open groups, respectively). This meta-analysis showed no significant difference in the overall morbidity, postoperative local infection, postoperative bleeding, and postoperative reintervention rates between the sutured and unsutured groups [7]. However, the study has several limitations, showing differences in peri-operative management, surgeon’s experience, and operative technique. Moreover, the criteria for defect closure were also different between the included studies.
Nowadays, the mainstream view seems to be that the decision can be safely left to the surgeon’s preference. A recent study [33] described the outcome of 35 patients who underwent TAMIS without closure of the rectal defect over a 6-year period. With an overall morbidity of 14.2%, this study discovered that it is possible to leave the rectal defect open in all transanal excision procedures in the extraperitoneal rectum, regardless of the size and histopathology of the lesion or whether or not neoadjuvant treatment is indicated.
Our study results are, to our knowledge, the largest comparative study of sutured versus unsutured management that include early and late postoperative outcomes, shown an overall rate of complications similar to reported studies [10, 34]; however, the registered incidence of morbidity was significantly higher in the group with defects left open. Most severe complications were from this group, and more patients needed a reintervention. Although our first study [8] found that the unsutured approach is not riskier, supposedly due to the small number of randomized patients, the present data suggest advantages to suturing the defect closed. Our results concur with studies suggesting that leaving the defect open as a routine practice remains controversial, and we attempted to close all defects below the peritoneal reflection [24].
Limitations
This study is a secondary analysis of our data and has the limitations of being a retrospective study. Results may not be generalizable, because all procedures were performed by highly trained specialist colorectal surgeons at a reference center.
Conclusions
TEM full-thickness excision provided a low rate of postoperative morbidity and potentially avoided several major abdominal operations. The introduction of the minimally invasive transanal approach has enabled more surgeons to incorporate the technique, contributing to the expansion of surgical local excision worldwide.
We acknowledge the occasional impossibility of closing the defect in patients who undergo a local excision, and the decision of whether to close the defect or not should be made by considering these particular technical issues. If there are no such issues, we highly recommend suturing for defect closure.
Change history
16 February 2023
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-023-02824-5
References
Ramirez JM, Aguilella V, Gracia JA, Ortego J, Escudero P, Valencia J, Esco R, Martinez M (2009) Local full-thickness excision as first line treatment for sessile rectal adenomas long-term results. Ann Surg 249:225–228. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0b013e318190496f
Mainprize KS, Mortensen NJ, Warren BF (1998) Early colorectal cancer: recognition, classification and treatment. Br J Surg 85:469–476. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2168.1998.00692.x
Ramirez JM, Aguilella V, Valencia J, Ortego J, Gracia JA, Escudero P, Esco R, Martinez M (2011) Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal cancer. Long-term oncologic results. Int J Colorectal Dis 26:437–443. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-011-1132-9
Buess G, Theiss R, Günther M, Hutterer F, Pichlmaier H (1985) Endoscopic surgery in the rectum. Endoscopy 17:31–35. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-2007-1018451
Atallah S, Albert M, Larach S (2010) Transanal minimally invasive surgery: a giant leap forward. Surg Endosc 24:2200–2205. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-010-0927-z
Albert MR, Atallah SB, deBeche-Adams TC, Izfar S, Larach SW (2013) Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) for local excision of benign neoplasms and early- stage rectal cancer: efficacy and outcomes in the first 50 patients. Dis Colon Rectum 56:301–307. https://doi.org/10.1097/DCR.0b013e31827ca313
Menahem B, Alves A, Morello R, Lubrano J (2017) Should the rectal defect be closed following transanal local excision of rectal tumors? A systematic review and meta-analysis. Tech Coloproctol 21:929–936. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-017-1714-9
Ramirez JM, Aguilella V, Arribas D, Martinez M (2002) Transanal full-thickness excision of rectal tumours: should the defect be sutured? a randomized controlled trial. Colorectal Dis 4:51–55. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1463-1318.2002.00293.x
Hahnloser D, Cantero R, Salgado G, Dindo D, Rega D, Delrio P (2015) Transanal minimal invasive surgery for rectal lesions: should the defect be closed? Colorectal Dis 17:397–402. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.12866
Buess GF (1995) Local surgical treatment of rectal cancer. Eur J Cancer 31A:1233–1237. https://doi.org/10.1016/0959-8049(95)00240-j
Najarian MM, Belzer GE, Cogbill TH, Mathiason MA (2004) Determination of the peritoneal reflection using intraoperative proctoscopy. Dis Colon Rectum 47:2080–2085. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-004-0740-7
Gracia JA, Ramirez JM, Callejo D, Elia M, Maeso S, Aguilella V, Martinez M (2011) Efficiency and outcomes of harmonic device in transanal endoscopic microsurgery compared with monopolar scalpel. Surg Endosc 25:3209–3213. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-011-1695-0
Ferlitsch M, Moss A, Hassan C, Bhandari P, Dumonceau JM, Paspatis G, Jover R, Langner C, Bronzwaer M, Nalankilli K, Fockens P (2017) Colorectal polypectomy and endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR): European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE). Clin Guidel Endosc 49:270–297. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0043-102569
Smits LJH, van Lieshout AS, Grüter AAJ, Horsthuis K, Tuynman JB (2022) Multidisciplinary management of early rectal cancer - the role of surgical local excision in current and future clinical practice. Surg Oncol 40:101687. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.suronc.2021.101687
You YN, Hardiman KM, Bafford A, Poylin V, Francone TD, Davis K, Paquette IM, Steele SR, Feingold DL (2020) The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons clinical practice guidelines for the management of rectal cancer. Dis Colon Rectum 63:1191–1222. https://doi.org/10.1097/DCR.0000000000001762
Montroni I, Ugolini G, Saur NM, Spinelli A, Rostoft S, Millan M, Wolthuis A, Daniels IR, Hompes R, Penna M, Fürst A (2018) Personalized management of elderly patients with rectal cancer: expert recommendations of the European Society of Surgical Oncology, European Society of Coloproctology, International Society of Geriatric Oncology, and American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Eur J Surg Oncol 44:1685–1702. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejso.2018.08.003
Clancy C, Burke JP, Albert MR, O’Connell PR, Winter DC (2015) Transanal endoscopic microsurgery versus standard transanal excision for the removal of rectal neoplasms: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Dis Colon Rectum 58:254–261. https://doi.org/10.1097/DCR.0000000000000309
Mayer J, Mortensen NJ (1995) Transanal endoscopic microsurgery: a forgotten minimally invasive operation. Br J Surg 82:435–437. https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.1800820403
Buess GF (2008) Natural orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). Minim Invasive Ther Allied Technol 17:329–330. https://doi.org/10.1080/13645700802528082
Baker EJ, Waters PS, Peacock O, Narasimhan V, Larach T, McCormick J, Heriot AG, Warrier S, Lynch C (2020) Robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery - technical, oncological and patient outcomes from a single institution. Colorectal Dis 22:1422–1428. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.15045
Bignell MB, Ramwell A, Evans JR, Dastur N, Simson JN (2010) Complications of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS): a prospective audit. Colorectal Dis 12:e99–e103. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1463-1318.2009.02071.x
Kim MJ, Lee TG (2021) Transanal minimally invasive surgery using laparoscopic instruments of the rectum: a review. World J Gastrointest Surg 13:1149–1165. https://doi.org/10.4240/wjgs.v13.i10.1149
Buess G, Mentges B, Manncke K, Starlinger M, Becker HD (1992) Technique and results of transanal endoscopic microsurgery in early rectal cancer. Am J Surg 163:63–69. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9610(92)90254-o
Clermonts SH, Zimmerman DD (2015) Closure of the rectal defect after transanal minimally invasive surgery: a word of caution. Colorectal Dis 17:642–643. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.12990
Lorenz C, Nimmesgern T, Back M, Langwieler TE (2010) Transanal single port microsurgery (TSPM) as a modified technique of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). Surg Innov 17:160–163. https://doi.org/10.1177/1553350610370751
Lim SB, Seo SI, Lee JL, Kwak JY, Jang TY, Kim CW, Yoon YS, Yu CS, Kim JC (2012) Feasibility of transanal minimally invasive surgery for mid-rectal lesions. Surg Endosc 26:3127–3132. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-012-2303-7
Kunitake H, Abbas MA (2012) Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal tumors: a review. Perm J 16:45–50
Maslekar S, Pillinger SH, Monson JR (2007) Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for carcinoma of the rectum. Surg Endosc 21:97–102. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-005-0832-z
Brown C, Raval MJ, Phang PT, Karimuddin AA (2017) The surgical defect after transanal endoscopic microsurgery: open versus closed management. Surg Endosc 31:1078–1082. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-016-5067-7
Lee L, Althoff A, Edwards K, Albert MR, Atallah SB, Hunter IA, Hill J, Monson JRT (2018) Outcomes of closed versus open defects after local excision of rectal neoplasms: a multi- institutional matched analysis. Dis Colon Rectum 61:172–178. https://doi.org/10.1097/DCR.0000000000000962
Marques CF, Nahas CS, Ribeiro U, Bustamante LA, Pinto RA, Mory EK, Cecconello I, Nahas SC (2016) Postoperative complications in the treatment of rectal neoplasia by transanal endoscopic microsurgery: a prospective study of risk factors and time course. Int J Colorectal Dis 31:833–841. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-016-2527-4
Noura S, Ohue M, Miyoshi N, Yasui M (2016) Significance of defect closure following transanal local full-thickness excision of rectal malignant tumors. Mol Clin Oncol 5:449–454. https://doi.org/10.3892/mco.2016.979
Naiderman D, Tufare AL, Trinchero LB, Rossi F, Dolan M, Cano DM, Fagalde RL, Jury GL (2021) Transanal minimally-invasive surgery (TAMIS): experience with no closure of the rectal defect. J Coloproctol 41:348–354. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0041-1735642
Saclarides TJ (2015) Transanal endoscopic microsurgery. Clin Colon Rect Surg 28:165–175. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0035-1562889
Funding
Open Access funding provided thanks to the CRUE-CSIC agreement with Springer Nature.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Contributions
Study conception and design: JMR and JAG.
Acquisition of data: JMR, AG, ME, and EC.
Analysis and interpretation of data: JMR, JAG; ME, EC, and AG.
Drafting of manuscript: JMR and JAG.
Critical revision of the manuscript: JMR, JAG; ME, EC, and AG.
All authors have read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be submitted.
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Ethics approval
This is a retrospective study on a standard treatment for rectal lesions. According to our regional ethics committee, ethical approval was not necessary.
Consent to participate
Informed consent was obtained from all the individual paticipants included in the study.
Competing interests
JMR shares a patent for a rectoscope by Richard Wolf, and JAG, ME, EC, and AG have no conflicts of interest to disclose.
Additional information
Publisher's note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons licence, and indicate if changes were made. The images or other third party material in this article are included in the article's Creative Commons licence, unless indicated otherwise in a credit line to the material. If material is not included in the article's Creative Commons licence and your intended use is not permitted by statutory regulation or exceeds the permitted use, you will need to obtain permission directly from the copyright holder. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/.
About this article
Cite this article
Gracia, J.A., Elia, M., Cordoba, E. et al. Transanal full-thickness excision for rectal neoplasm: is it advisable to leave the defect open?. Langenbecks Arch Surg 408, 11 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-022-02745-9
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00423-022-02745-9