Direct intraoperative assessment of total mesorectal excision specimens by expert pathologists in patients with very low rectal cancer prevents unnecessary abdominoperineal resections

Purpose In patients with low rectal cancer, the intraoperative assessment of sufficient distal resection margins can be challenging. The assessment determines whether reconstruction can be performed or whether permanent colostomy is required. The goal of the present study was to evaluate intraoperative assessment of the total mesorectal excision (TME) specimen during an interruption of the operation.