The Efficacy of Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision: a Preliminary Vietnamese Report

INTRODUCTION: The e physical anatomical characteristics of Vietnamese people are similar to those of other East Asian populations, with a deep and narrow pelvis but an average body mass index (BMI) among patients at the advanced stage of rectal cancer. AIM: This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the short-term outcomes of transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) for rectal cancer treatment in a Vietnamese population. METHODS: A total of 64 patients who underwent TaTME were included in this study. The pelvic anatomical parameters, BMI, operative morbidities, macroscopic qualities of the mesorectal specimens, circumferential resection margins, and anal sphincter functional data were collected. The method popularized by Quirke and Kirwan’s classification were used to assess to quality of the mesorectal specimens and the sphincter function, respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 20.0. RESULTS: The mean age and BMI of the patients were 66.4 years and 20.5 kg/m2, respectively. Most patients had narrow pelvises, with mean transverse pelvic outlet diameters of 10.12 ±1.85 cm, for males, and 10.43 ± 1.32 cm, for females, and pelvic depths of 12.36 ±2.03 cm, for males, and 11.73 ±1.12 cm, for females. The mean tumor size was 5.17 ±1.62 cm. Among the mesorectal specimens, 82.8% were complete and 14.1% were nearly complete. Disease-free survival and overall survival rates were 98.2% and 100%, respectively. Sphincter functions at 12 months post-operation were rated as 30.8% Kirwan I, 42.3% Kirwan II, and 26.9% Kirwan III. CONCLUSION: TaTME surgery represents a safe and suitable option among Vietnamese patients with narrow and deep pelvises and advanced rectal tumors in the middle third and lower third of the rectum.