Transanal Robotic Surgery (TARS) for early rectal cancer- the new frontier

Abstract

Introduction: Local excision is a recognised management option for early rectal cancer. Few RCTs have even looked at use of local excision in advanced rectal cancers and have reported an acceptable functional and oncological outcome. Current approach for local excision includes, TEMS, TAMIS and open transanal approach. TEMS offers advantage of a 3D view but the clunky platform is marred with reliability problems. TAMIS provides more working space than TEMS but lacks the 3D vision making suturing a cumbersome process.