10-YEAR EXPERIENCE OF TRANSANAL ENDOSCOPI C MICROSURGERY - HISTOPATHOLOGICAL AND CLINICAL ANALYSIS

The clinical and long-term results encountered from July 1983 to Decem ber 1992 are subject of this study. Contrary to other (transanal and t ransabdominal) surgical treatments the endorectal system permits thera peutic local excisions of large, rectal adenomas and early rectal carc inomas of the ''low-risk'' type within the entire rectum with minimal morbidity. A superior or comparable rate of adenoma recurrence (4.8 %, n = 228) as well as a more favourable operative result (complication rate 3.9 %; lethality 0.6 %; n = 348) can be achieved with the transan al endoscopic microsurgery. Under palliative conditions, transanal end oscopic surgery is more effective than other conservative treatments i n cases of circumscribed, non-stenotic carcinomas of the rectum. Thoro ugh surgical training is required in order to succesfully practice tra nsanal endoscopic surgery.