Mesorectum amputation technique for laparoscopic anterior resection.

The objective of this study was to assess our original procedure, the cutting off method (COM), where the rectum and mesorectum are cut off with an autosuture device simultaneously in laparoscopic anterior resection. From 2001 to 2003, laparoscopic anterior resection was performed in 21 patients at our institution using the COM (n = 14) and trimming method (TM; n = 7). We reviewed the medical records for operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications. The operation lasted 165 minutes (range, 140-215 minutes) in the TM group, but only 120 minutes (range, 95-135 minutes) in the COM group (P < 0.01). Intraoperative blood loss was 90 ml (range, 60-140 ml) in the TM group and 30 ml (range, 5-90 ml) in the COM group (P < 0.01). There were no postoperative complications in the COM group, although one complication of minor leakage was observed in the TM group.