Operative Feasibility and Short-Term Oncologic Outcome of Rigid Versus Flexible Platforms in Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision

Several transanal platforms were used to perform transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME). They can be classified into rigid reusable platforms or flexible single-use platforms. The choice of transanal platform usually depends on the availability and the surgeon’s discretion. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to compare the operative and oncologic outcome of flexible and rigid platforms during TaTME. This is a retrospective cohort study in which rectal cancer patients operated by TaTME in two tertiary centers from June 2013 to April 2019 were included. They were classified into two groups according to the platform used either the rigid platform group (n = 17) or the flexible platform (n = 14). Operative feasibility and short-term oncologic data were analyzed and reported. A total number of 31 patients were divided into either the rigid platform group (n = 17) versus the flexible platform one (n = 14). Shorter operating time, less blood loss, better TME specimens, and lymph node yield were reported in the flexible platform group. Flexible platforms were associated with better operative outcomes. Although there were no differences in circumferential and distal margins between the two groups, better TME specimens’ quality and lymph node yield were reported in the flexible platform group. Future prospective trials are encouraged to provide better evidence.