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Complications of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEMS): a prospective audit
Author(s) -
Bignell M. B.,
Ramwell A.,
Evans J. R.,
Dastur N.,
Simson J. N. L.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
colorectal disease
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.029
H-Index - 89
eISSN - 1463-1318
pISSN - 1462-8910
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2009.02071.x
Subject(s) - medicine , surgery , microsurgery , dissection (medical) , diathermy , prospective cohort study , stenosis , sepsis , radiology
Background The aim of this study was to determine the postoperative complications of Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEMS) excision of rectal lesions. Method A prospective audit of 262 consecutive TEMS procedures performed by a single surgeon between 1999 and 2008. Results The mean age of patients was 72 years. The mean area of the lesions excised was 17.5 cm 2 with a mean diameter of 4.5 cm at a mean distance of 7.4 cm from the dentate line. There were 201 full thickness excisions, 51 partial thickness excisions and nine were mixed or unclassified. Thirty‐three (13%) patients developed 41 complications. There were two (0.8%) deaths within 30 days. Pelvic sepsis occurred in seven (3%) patients and was significantly more common after excision of low lesions within 2 cm of the dentate line. Postoperative haemorrhage occurred in seven (3%) patients and was significantly less common when dissection was performed with ultrasonic dissection than with diathermy. Fourteen (5%) patients developed acute urinary retention. Four (1.5%) patients developed rectal stenosis and four (1.5%) suffered uncomplicated surgical emphysema that required no treatment. Conclusions Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a safe operation with a low mortality and morbidity. Pelvic sepsis is more common after excision of lesions within 2 cm of the dentate line. Ultrasonic dissection is associated with less postoperative haemorrhage than diathermy.