[Analysis of 17 cases underwent laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery with transanal natural orifice specimen extraction and resection]

Objective: To study the feasibility, safety and short-term efficacy of total laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery with transanal natural orifice specimen extraction and resection. Methods: From May 2014 to March 2016, 17 patients with rectal carcinoma were treated by total laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery with transanal natural orifice specimen extraction and resection. The clinical data of these patients was collected and retrospectively analyzed to assess the impact of the operation on postoperative recovery time and the incidence of complications. Results: All operations had been successfully accomplished without conversion to open surgery or conversional laparoscopic-assisted surgery . The median operative time was 105 minutes. The median blood loss was 35 ml. The median proximal and distal margin of tumor is 16 cm and 3.5 cm. The median number of lymph nodes harvest is 21, and the median first bowl movement is 43 hours. The hospitalization after operation is 8 days. No patient underwent abdomen hemorrhage or anastomotic leakage. Conclusion: Laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery with transanal natural orifice specimen extraction and resection appears to be feasible, safe and with promising efficacy for selected patients.