Laparoscopic total mesorectal excision with autonomic nerve preservation

Laparoscopy has greatly influenced abdominal surgery. We hypothesize that t he benefits of minimally invasive surgery are applicable to rectal cancer A cadaver model of laparoscopic rectal resection with total mesorectal excis ion (TME) and autonomic nerve preservation was utilized to explore this hyp othesis. The principles of TME were followed, including high vascular ligat ion, sharp mesorectal dissection, and identification and preservation of th e autonomic pelvic nerves. After proving feasibility in the cadaver model, a clinical study was performed on patients with mid to low rectal cancers. We observed acceptable morbidity with this minimally invasive technique of rectal resection and TME. We conclude that there is growing evidence that l aparoscopic methods can be applied to patients with rectal cancer. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.