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The quest for precision in transanal total mesorectal excision

  • Challenges in Coloproctology
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Techniques in Coloproctology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Transanal total mesorectal excision (TME) is an emerging minimally invasive approach to rectal cancer, with encouraging preliminary results. However, the new surgical anatomy of the bottom-up approach complicates surgical understanding and increases the risks of inadvertent injuries to crucial anatomical structures, including nerves. Key elements to improve the safety and stimulate interest in such a complex technique might be robotics and image guidance, to enhance the level of precision. In this editorial, some of the technologies that could be used for precision TME are outlined, in light of the experience of our Institute for Image-Guided Surgery.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Christopher Burel and Guy Temporal, professionals in Medical English proofreading, for their valuable help in revising the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IRCAD Latina America, Hospital de Cancer de Barretos, Barretos, Brazil

    A. G. Franchini Melani

  2. Research Institute Against Digestive Cancer (IRCAD), 1 Place de l’Hôpital, 67091, Strasbourg, France

    M. Diana & J. Marescaux

  3. Institute for Image-Guided Surgery (IHU-Strasbourg), Strasbourg, France

    M. Diana & J. Marescaux

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  1. A. G. Franchini Melani
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  2. M. Diana
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  3. J. Marescaux
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Correspondence to J. Marescaux.

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Franchini Melani, A.G., Diana, M. & Marescaux, J. The quest for precision in transanal total mesorectal excision. Tech Coloproctol 20, 11–18 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-015-1405-3

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