Laparoscopic low anterior resection with extended total mesorectal excision for locally advanced rectal cancer : A video vignette.

: The role of minimal invasive surgery (MIS) is still evolving in extended total mesorectal excision(TME) for locally advanced rectal cancers even though it is an accepted modality of treatment for rectal cancer. Selected high volume centres do practice MIS for extended TME with good results. The feasibility of performing laparoscopic extended TME has been demonstrated by Akiyoshi et. al.(1) We have previously published our technique of robotic assisted low anterior resection : beyond total mesorectal excision ; a left vascular approach with presacral fascia excision in locally advanced rectal cancer.(2) A few videos demonstrate the extended resections for locally advanced rectal cancers.(3,4).