• 1. Department of Anorectal Surgery, 940 Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force of Chinese People’s Liberation Army, Lanzhou 730030, China;
  • 2. Department of Anorectal Surgery, Northwest University for Nationalities, Lanzhou 730030, China;
  • 3. Gansu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou 730030, China;
  • 4. Ningxia Medical University, Yinchuan 750004, China;
XU Ming, Email: drxuming@qq.com
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Objective To evaluate the short-term clinical outcomes of transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) and provide evidence for clinical decision-making. Methods Relevant literature from domestic and international databases in recent years was reviewed to systematically assess the current application of TaTME in the treatment of mid-to-low rectal cancer. A comparative analysis was conducted between TaTME and laparoscopic TME (LapTME), focusing on intraoperative outcomes, short-term postoperative recovery, intraoperative and postoperative complications, oncological prognosis, and the learning curve. Results Conventional LapTME presents significant challenges in performing precise maneuvers within the pelvis and around the rectum, particularly in patients with "difficult pelvis" characteristics such as obesity, narrow pelvis, or male anatomy. In contrast, TaTME demonstrates certain advantages, including improved visualization of anatomical planes, reduced intraoperative bleeding, lower conversion rates to open surgery, faster short-term postoperative recovery, and enhanced specimen quality. Conclusion TaTME is a safe procedure with short-term outcomes that are superior or comparable to those of laparoscopic surgery, offering a new surgical option for the treatment of low rectal cancer.

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