Technique of transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM)

Early stages of rectal cancer, well and ~oderately differentiated, have a l~w r~te of regional spread a~d therefore may be treated by conservative therapy. 1-3 Transanal Bnrloscopic MIcrosurgery (TEM)was In- troduced into clinical practice' by G. Buess in 1983.This technique allows for the local treatment of be- nign lesions and the early stages of rectal cancer through a modified rectoscope, yielding good exposure of the operative field with-three-dimensional vision; mucosectomy and full thickness excision procedures can be performed. TEM benefits are the same as other minimally invasive techniques: less pain, reduced morbid- ity, faster recovery time, and an absence of skin scars. In the present paper, the authors report the technique and the results of the experience of 89TEM procedures for the treatment of rectal tumors