Gasless, video endoscopic transanal excision for carcinoid and laterally spreading tumors of the rectum

Background: The aim of this study is to determine whether gasless, video endoscopic transanal–rectal tumor excision (gasless VTEM) is a valid treatment for rectal carcinoid and laterally spreading tumors (LST). Methods: Eighty-four patients with an adenoma, adenocarcinoma (Tis/T1), or carcinoid tumor of the rectum were divided into three groups: (i) LST (n = 17 patients), (ii) carcinoid (n = 11), and (iii) control with other types of tumors (n = 56). Results: The LST group had a longer median operating time than in the control group, whereas the carcinoid group had a shorter operating time. Two patients (11.7%) in LST group developed peritoneal entry during the operation, while 2 patients (3.6%) in the control group experienced postoperative complications. During a median follow-up length of 55.2 months, one patient in the LST group developed a recurrence. Conclusions: Gasless VTEM is a simple, minimally invasive procedure used to treat LST and carcinoid tumors of the rectum. However, resection for the LST group had a high risk of peritoneal entry during operation.