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Background: Recent non-randomized studies suggest that extended endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is equally effective in removing large rectal adenomas as transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). If equally effective, EMR might be a more cost-effective approach as this strategy does not require expensive equipment, general anesthesia and hospital admission. Furthermore, EMR appears to be associated with fewer complications.The aim of this study is to compare the cost-effectiveness and cost-utility of TEM and EMR for the resection of large rectal adenomas.Methods/design: Multicenter randomized trial among 15 hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients with a rectal adenoma > or = 3 cm, located between 1-15 cm ab ano, will be randomized to a TEM- or EMR-treatment strategy. For TEM, patients will be treated under general anesthesia, adenomas will be dissected en-bloc by a full-thickness excision, and patients will be admitted to the hospital. For EMR, no or conscious sedation is used, lesions will be resected through the submucosal plane in a piecemeal fashion, and patients will be discharged from the hospital. Residual adenoma that is visible during the first surveillance endoscopy at 3 months will be removed endoscopically in both treatment strategies and is considered as part of the primary treatment. Primary outcome measure is the proportion of patients with recurrence after 3 months. Secondary outcome measures are: 2) number of days not spent in hospital from initial treatment until 2 years afterwards; 3) major and minor morbidity; 4) disease specific and general quality of life; 5) anorectal function; 6) health care utilization and costs. A cost-effectiveness and cost-utility analysis of EMR against TEM for large rectal adenomas will be performed from a societal perspective with respectively the costs per recurrence free patient and the cost per quality adjusted life year as outcome measures. Based on comparable recurrence rates for TEM and EMR of 3.3% and considering an upper-limit of 10% for EMR to be non-inferior (beta-error 0.2 and one-sided alpha-error 0.05), 89 patients are needed per group.Discussion: The TREND study is the first randomized trial evaluating whether TEM or EMR is more cost-effective for the treatment of large rectal adenomas.Trial Registration Number: (trialregister.nl) NTR1422. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate staging of rectal tumors is essential for making the correct treatment choice. In a previous study, we found that loss of 17p, 18q and gain of 8q, 13q and 20q could distinguish adenoma from carcinoma tissue and that gain of 1q was related to lymph node metastasis. In order to find markers for tumor staging, we searched for candidate genes on these specific chromosomes.~Background~Background~We performed gene expression microarray analysis on 79 rectal tumors and integrated these data with genomic data from the same sample series. We performed supervised analysis to find candidate genes on affected chromosomes and validated the results with qRT-PCR and immunohistochemistry.~Methods~Methods~Integration of gene expression and chromosomal instability data revealed similarity between these two data types. Supervised analysis identified up-regulation of EFNA1 in cases with 1q gain, and EFNA1 expression was correlated with the expression of a target gene (VEGF). The BOP1 gene, involved in ribosome biogenesis and related to chromosomal instability, was over-expressed in cases with 8q gain. SMAD2 was the most down-regulated gene on 18q, and on 20q, STMN3 and TGIF2 were highly up-regulated. Immunohistochemistry for SMAD4 correlated with SMAD2 gene expression and 18q loss.~Results~Results~On basis of integrative analysis this study identified one well known CRC gene (SMAD2) and several other genes (EFNA1, BOP1, TGIF2 and STMN3) that possibly could be used for rectal cancer characterization.~Conclusion~Conclusions [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Long-term complications of previous rectal surgery (e.g., enterovisceral fistula, anastomotic stricture, rectal stenosis) can be challenging problems for which transabdominal or transperineal surgery with or without definitive fecal diversion is often required. Transanal endoscopic surgery (TES) might allow for local treatment of these complications, thereby saving patients from otherwise major surgery., Patients and Methods: All patients undergoing TES in the IJsselland Hospital (NL) since 1996 were recorded in a prospective database, of which twenty patients were treated for complications after previous rectal surgery. Data on prior treatment, surgical techniques, outcomes, and need for additional surgery were collected., Results: Twenty patients were identified from the database (rectourinary fistula n = 3, rectovaginal fistula n = 5, anastomotic stricture n = 8, and rectal stenosis n = 4). One of the three (33 %) rectourinary fistulas and two of five (40 %) rectovaginal fistulas were successfully treated with TES. Anastomotic strictures were successfully treated in 5/8 (63 %) patients. Strictures after local excision of rectal tumors were successfully treated in 3/4 (75 %) patients. No minor complication and one major complication occurred (rectovaginal fistula after stenoplasty eventually requiring Hartmann's procedure)., Conclusions: Transanal treatment of anastomotic strictures, rectal stenosis, and fistula after prior rectal surgery is safe and effective in a large proportion of patients. TES should be considered as a first step in all patients presenting with these late complications after rectal surgery.

Background: Rectal cancer surgery is accompanied with high morbidity and poor long term functional outcome. Screening programs have shown a shift towards more early staged cancers. Patients with early rectal cancer can potentially benefit significantly from rectal preserving therapy. For the earliest stage cancers, local excision is sufficient when the risk of lymph node disease and subsequent recurrence is below 5 %. However, the majority of early cancers are associated with an intermediate risk of lymph node involvement (5-20 %) suggesting that local excision alone is not sufficient, while completion radical surgery, which is currently standard of care, could be a substantial overtreatment for this group of patients., Methods/study Design: In this multicentre randomised trial, patients with an intermediate risk T1-2 rectal cancer, that has been locally excised using an endoluminal technique, will be randomized between adjuvant chemo-radiotherapylimited to the mesorectum and standard completion total mesorectal excision (TME). To strictly monitor the risk of locoregional recurrence in the experimental arm and enable early salvage surgery, there will be additional follow up with frequent MRI and endoscopy. The primary outcome of the study is three-year local recurrence rate. Secondary outcomes are morbidity, disease free and overall survival, stoma rate, functional outcomes, health related quality of life and costs. The design is a non inferiority study with a total sample size of 302 patients., Discussion: The results of the TESAR trial will potentially demonstrate that adjuvant chemoradiotherapy is an oncological safe treatment option in patients who are confronted with the difficult clinical dilemma of a radically removed intermediate risk early rectal cancer by polypectomy or transanal surgery that is conventionally treated with subsequent radical surgery. Preserving the rectum using adjuvant radiotherapy is expected to significantly improve morbidity, function and quality of life if compared to completion TME surgery., Trial Registration: NCT02371304 , registration date: February 2015.

Background: Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) is emerging as an alternative to transanal endoscopic microsurgery. Quality of life (QOL) and functional outcome are important aspects when valuing a new technique. The aim of this prospective study was to assess both functional outcome and QOL after TAMIS., Methods: From 2011 to 2013, patients were prospectively studied prior to and at least 6 months after TAMIS for rectal adenomas and low-risk T1 carcinomas using a single-site laparoscopy port. Functional outcome was determined using the Faecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI). Quality of life was measured using functional [Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL)] and generic (EuroQol EQ-5D) questionnaires., Results: The study population consisted of 24 patients 13 men, median age 59 (range 42-83) with 24 tumours [median distance from the dentate line 8 cm (range 2-17 cm); median tumour size 6 cm(2) (range 0.25-51 cm(2)); 20 adenomas; 4 low-risk T1 carcinomas]. Post-operative complications occurred in one patient (4 %; grade IIIb according to Clavien Dindo classification). Compared to baseline, FISI remained unaffected (9.8 vs 7.3; P = 0.26), FIQL remained unaffected, and EuroQol EQ-5D improved (EQ-VAS: 77 vs 83; P = 0.04)., Conclusion: There was no detrimental effect of TAMIS on anorectal function. Overall QOL was improved after TAMIS, probably due to removal of the tumour, and at 6 months was equal to the general population.

Background: Healthcare providers worldwide are struggling with rising costs while hospitals budgets are under stress. Colorectal cancer surgery is commonly performed, however it is associated with a disproportionate share of adverse events in general surgery. Since adverse events are associated with extra hospital costs it seems important to explicitly discuss the costs of complications and the risk factors for high-costs after colorectal surgery., Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical and financial outcomes after colorectal cancer surgery in 29 Dutch hospitals (6768 patients). Detailed clinical data was derived from the 2011-2012 population-based Dutch Surgical Colorectal Audit database. Costs were measured uniform in all participating hospitals and based on Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing., Findings: Of total hospital costs in this study, 31% was spent on complications and the top 5% most expensive patients were accountable for 23% of hospitals budgets. Minor and severe complications were respectively associated with a 26% and 196% increase in costs as compared to patients without complications. Independent from other risk factors, ASA IV, double tumor, ASA III, short course preoperative radiotherapy and TNM-4 stadium disease were the top-5 attributors to high costs., Conclusions: This article shows that complications after colorectal cancer surgery are associated with a substantial increase in costs. Although not all surgical complications can be prevented, reducing complications will result in considerable cost savings. By providing a business case we show that investments made to develop targeted quality improvement programs will pay off eventually. Results based on this study should encourage healthcare providers to endorse quality improvement efforts., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: This prospective multicentre study was performed to quantify the number of patients with minimal residual disease (ypT0-1) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) for rectal cancer., Methods: Patients with clinically staged T1-3 N0 distal rectal cancer were treated with long-course chemoradiotherapy. Clinical response was evaluated 6-8 weeks later and TEM performed. Total mesorectal excision was advocated in patients with residual disease (ypT2 or more)., Results: The clinical stage was cT1 N0 in ten patients, cT2 N0 in 29 and cT3 N0 in 16 patients. Chemoradiotherapy-related complications of at least grade 3 occurred in 23 of 55 patients, with two deaths from toxicity, and two patients did not have TEM or major surgery. Among 47 patients who had TEM, ypT0-1 disease was found in 30, ypT0 N1 in one, ypT2 in 15 and ypT3 in one. Local recurrence developed in three of the nine patients with ypT2 tumours who declined further surgery. Postoperative complications grade I-IIIb occurred in 13 of 47 patients after TEM and in five of 12 after (completion) surgery. After a median follow-up of 17 months, four local recurrences had developed overall, three in patients with ypT2 and one with ypT1 disease., Conclusion: TEM after chemoradiotherapy enabled organ preservation in one-half of the patients with rectal cancer., (© 2015 BJS Society Ltd Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Aim: The revised Vienna criteria were proposed for classifying rectal neoplasia and subsequent treatment strategies. Restaging intramucosal carcinoma to a non-invasive subgroup seems logical, but clinical support is lacking. In this study, we investigated whether distinction between intramucosal carcinomas (IMC) and rectal adenoma (RA) is of clinical relevance and whether these neoplasms can all be similarly and safely treated by transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM)., Methods: All consecutive patients with IMC and RA, treated with TEM between 1996 and 2010 in tertiary referral centre for TEM were included. Long-term outcome of 88 IMC was compared to 356 pure rectal adenomas (RA). Local recurrence (LR) rate was the primary endpoint. Risk factors for LR were analysed., Results: LR was diagnosed in 7/88 patients (8.0 %) with IMC and in 33/356 patients with primary RA (9.3 %; p = 0.700) and LR-free survival did not differ (p = 0.438). Median time to recurrence was 10 months (IQR IMC 5-30; RA 6-16). Overall recurrence occurred mainly in the first 3 years (38/40; 95 %). None of the LR revealed malignancy on pathological evaluation. No differences could be found in complication rates (IMC 9 %; RA 13 %; p = 0.34). Metastases did not occur in either group. Independent risk factors for LR were irradical margins at final histopathology (HR 2.32; 95 % CI 1.17-4.59; p = 0.016) and more proximal tumours (HR 0.84; 95 % CI 0.77-0.92; P = <0.001)., Conclusion: In this study, IMC of the rectum and RA have similar recurrence rates. This supports the revised Vienna classification. Both entities can be safely treated with TEM.

Background: Primary perineal wound closure after conventional abdominoperineal resection (cAPR) for rectal cancer has been the standard of care for many years. Since the introduction of neo-adjuvant radiotherapy and the extralevator APR (eAPR), oncological outcome has been improved, but at the cost of increased rates of perineal wound healing problems and perineal hernia. This has progressively increased the use of biological meshes, although not supported by sufficient evidence. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of pelvic floor reconstruction using a biological mesh after standardized eAPR with neo-adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy compared to primary perineal wound closure., Methods/design: In this multicentre randomized controlled trial, patients with a clinical diagnosis of primary rectal cancer who are scheduled for eAPR after neo-adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy will be considered eligible. Exclusion criteria are prior radiotherapy, sacral resection above S4/S5, allergy to pig products or polysorbate, collagen disorders, and severe systemic diseases affecting wound healing, except for diabetes. After informed consent, 104 patients will be randomized between standard care using primary wound closure of the perineum and the experimental arm consisting of suturing a biological mesh derived from porcine dermis in the pelvic floor defect, followed by perineal closure similar to the control arm. Patients will be followed for one year after the intervention and outcome assessors and patients will be blinded for the study treatment. The primary endpoint is the percentage of uncomplicated perineal wound healing, defined as a Southampton wound score of less than II on day 30. Secondary endpoints are hospital stay, incidence of perineal hernia, quality of life, and costs., Discussion: The BIOPEX-study is the first randomized controlled multicentre study to determine the additive value of using a biological mesh for perineal wound closure after eAPR with neo-adjuvant radiotherapy compared to primary perineal wound closure with regard to perineal wound healing and the occurrence of perineal hernia., Trail Registration Number: NCT01927497 (Clinicaltrial.gov).

Background: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a technically demanding key technique in minimally invasive rectal surgery. We investigated the learning curve of colorectal surgeons commencing with TEM., Methods: All TEM procedures of four colorectal surgeons were analyzed. Procedures were ranked chronologically per surgeon. Outcomes included conversion, postoperative complications, procedure time, and recurrence. Backward multivariable regression analysis identified learning curve effects and other predictors., Results: Four surgeons resected 693 rectal lesions [69.9 % adenoma/25.5 % carcinoma; median size 20 cm(2); interquartile range (IQR) 11-35; 7 ± 4 cm ab ano]. A total of 555 resections (80.1 %) were histopathologically radical (R0). Conversion (4.3 %) was influenced by a learning curve [odds ratio (OR) 0.991 per additional procedure; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.984-0.998] and by lesion size. Postoperative complications depended only on the individual surgeon and lesion size in benign lesions (10.4 % complications). A learning curve (OR 0.99; 95 % CI 0.988-0.998) and peritoneal entrance affected complications in malignant lesions (13.3 %). Procedure time [median 55 min (IQR 30-90)] was influenced by a learning curve [B -0.11 (95 % CI -0.14 to -0.09)], individual surgeon, single-piece resection, peritoneal entrance, lesion size, and rectal quadrant. Recurrence of benign lesions (4.5 %) depended on lesion size, R0 resection, and prior resection attempts. Recurrence of malignant lesions (8.9 %) depended on 3D stereoscopic view, lesion size, full-thickness resection, and length of follow-up. Recurrence-free survival of patients operated during the 36th through 80th procedure per surgeon was significantly shorter than in patients operated during procedures 1-35 and 81 onwards., Conclusions: A surgical learning curve affected conversion rate, procedure time, and complication rate. It did not influence recurrence rates, possibly due to evolving patient populations. This first insight into the learning curve of TEM stresses the importance of quality monitoring and centralisation of care.

Aim: The study assessed the impact on anorectal function of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) of large rectal adenomas., Method: Patients with a large (≥ 3 cm) rectal adenoma undergoing EMR or TEM were included. Self-reported faecal incontinence was assessed using the Colorectal Functional Outcome (COREFO) questionnaire and the Wexner Incontinence Grading Scale. Anorectal manometry was performed before and at 6 months after treatment to measure anal resting (ARP) and squeeze pressure (SP), squeeze endurance (SE), the rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), rectal volumetry of first sensation (FS), first urge (FU), maximum tolerable volume (MTV) and rectal compliance (RC)., Results: Twenty-four patients were included in the study, of whom 11 underwent EMR and 13 underwent TEM. The mean adenoma size was 51 ± 19 mm and the median distance from the anal verge was 3 cm (interquartile range 1-10 cm). Follow-up data were available from 20 patients; one patient had died and three had undergone total mesorectal excision. Incontinence for liquid stool and Wexner score decreased significantly after treatment. In contrast, none of the measured parameters of anorectal motility (ARP, SP, SE, RAIR, RC) and perception (FS, FU, MTV) was affected by adenoma resection. No differences were found in baseline and follow-up incontinence and functional parameters between intervention groups, except for postprocedural ARP, which was lower after TEM than after EMR., Conclusion: Continence in patients with a large rectal adenoma improved after EMR or TEM, probably due to decreased rectal mucus production. Anal sphincter pressure, rectoanal reflexes, rectal sensation and compliance were not affected by adenoma resection., (Colorectal Disease © 2013 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of transanal single port surgery in 15 consecutive patients., Background: The current method of choice for local resection of rectal tumors is transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), a complex and expensive technique. Single access surgery is easy, relatively cheap, and more broadly applied in laparoscopy. Evidence regarding transanal use of single access ports is scarce., Methods: Consecutive patients with a rectal lesion otherwise eligible for TEM were operated using the Single Site Laparoscopic Access System (SSL) and standard laparoscopic instrumentation. Patient, lesion and procedure characteristics, hospitalization length, and peroperative and postoperative complications were recorded., Results: Fifteen patients were planned for single port transanal surgery. In 2 patients (13.3%), intrarectal retractor expansion failed, and conversion to conventional TEM was necessary. The remaining 13 patients were successfully operated. Rectal lesions (mean diameter 36 mm, standard deviation ±25 mm, mean distance from the dentate line 6 cm [±4.5]) included adenoma in 7 patients, T1 adenocarcinoma in 1, T2 adenocarcinoma in 3, carcinoid in 1, and fibrosis only in 1 (after prior polypectomy). All patients were operated in lithotomy position. Resections were en bloc, full thickness, and had complete margins. Resection specimens measured 65 (±35) × 52 (±24) mm. Twelve rectal defects were sutured. One peroperative pneumoscrotum occurred. Mean operating time was 57 (±39) minutes. One patient presented with postoperative hemorrhage, treated conservatively (postoperative morbidity rate 7.7%). Mean hospitalization lasted 2.5 days (±2.7)., Conclusions: Transanal single port surgery via the SSL is feasible and safe and may become a promising alternative to TEM.

Single port surgery of rectal tumors may be associated with a shorter learning curve and fewer costs than transanal endoscopic microsurgery. The authors aimed to select the most optimal single access port for transanal employment. Four single access ports (GelPOINT, TriPort, SSL Access System, and SILS) were tested in 2 pigs. Insertion feasibility and intraoperative features of each port were assessed. A rectal excision was attempted using the most suitable port. Insertion of GelPOINT was impossible. SILS and TriPort were easily inserted; however, insufficient stability demanded manual fixation. CO2 leaked through the TriPort trocar ports. Insertion of the 2-cm SSL Access System retractor was difficult, but pneumorectum and surgical circumstances were favorable. Single port transanal surgery may be a promising alternative for transanal endoscopic microsurgery. The SSL Access System was found the most suitable for this indication in a porcine model.

Aim: Large (> 2 cm) rectal adenomas are currently treated by transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) or piecemeal endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). The potential lower morbidity of EMR becomes irrelevant if it is less effective. We aimed to compare the safety and effectiveness of EMR and TEM for large rectal adenomas., Method: Data from patients undergoing TEM or EMR for a rectal adenoma > 2 cm in eight hospitals were retrospectively collected. Patient- and procedure-related characteristics, complications and recurrences were recorded. As EMR may require several attempts to achieve complete resection, early (after a single intervention) and late (permitting re-treatment for residual adenoma within 6 months) recurrence rates were determined., Results: Two hundred and ninety-two (292) patients (49% male; mean age 67 years) were included; 219 were treated by TEM and 73 by EMR. Adenomas treated by EMR were smaller (median 30 vs 40 mm; P = 0.007). Perioperative complication rates were 2% for TEM and 6% for EMR (P = 0.171). Postoperative complications occurred in 24% of TEM patients and in 13% of EMR patients (P = 0.038). Median hospitalization after TEM was 3 days vs 0 days after EMR (P < 0.001). Median follow-up was 12.6 months (0-47 months); Early recurrence rates were 10.2% in TEM patients and 31.0% in EMR patients (P < 0.001); late recurrence rates were 9.6% and 13.8%, respectively (P = 0.386)., Conclusion: After a single intervention, EMR of large rectal adenomas seems less effective, but safer than TEM. When allowing re-treatment of residual adenoma within 6 months, EMR and TEM seem equally effective. A prospective randomized comparison seems to be necessary., (© 2011 The Authors. Colorectal Disease © 2011 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Although early detection of Lynch syndrome (LS) is important, a considerable proportion of patients with LS remains unrecognized. We aimed to study the yield of LS detection by routine molecular analyses in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients until 70 years of age. We prospectively included consecutive CRC patients ≤70 years. Tumour specimens were analysed for microsatellite instability (MSI), immunohistochemical mismatch-repair protein expression and MLH1-promoter methylation. Tumours were classified as either: (a) likely caused by LS; (b) sporadic microsatellite-unstable (MSI-H); or (c) microsatellite-stable (MSS). Predictors of LS were determined by multivariable logistic regression. A total of 1117 CRC patients (57% males, median age 61 years) were included. Fifty patients (4.5%, 95% CI 3.4-5.9) were likely to have LS, and 71 had a sporadic MSI-H tumour (6.4%, 95% CI 5.1-8.0). Thirty-five patients likely to have LS (70%) were aged > 50 years. A molecular profile compatible with LS was detected in 10% (15/144) of patients aged ≤50, in 4% (15/377) of those aged 51-60 and in 3% (20/596) of patients > 61 years. Compared to MSS cases, patients likely to have LS were significantly younger (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.7-8.7) and more often had right-sided CRCs (OR 14, 95% CI 6.0-34). In conclusion, molecular screening for LS in CRC patients ≤70 years leads to identification of a molecular profile compatible with LS in 4.5% of patients, with most of them not fulfilling the age criterion (≤50 years) routinely used for LS assessment. Routine use of MSI testing may be considered in CRC patients up to the age of 70 years, with a central role for the pathologist in the selection of patients., (Copyright © 2012 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Background: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is considered a curative option for selected T1 rectal cancer. Although TEM is safe, local recurrence (LR) rates after TEM are unacceptably high. Evidence on selection criteria, however, is not abundant. To expand evidence on low- versus high-risk T1 rectal cancer with respect to LR, this study aimed to identify predictive histopathologic factors in a selected group of T1 rectal cancers treated with TEM only., Methods: The study enrolled 62 patients for whom specimens of the primary tumor containing an invasive T1 carcinoma could be reevaluated. Tumors were scored according to predefined criteria, and analysis of predictive factors for locoregional failure was performed., Result: Local recurrence rates at 3 years for tumors 3 cm in size or smaller were significantly lower than for tumors larger than 3 cm (16 vs. 39%; P < 0.03). Combining smaller tumors with submucosal invasion depth and budding led to identifying tumors that likely will not recur (3-year LR rates, 7 and 10%, respectively)., Conclusions: The findings showed that low- and high-risk criteria are too robust for identifying tumors at risk for LR. Tumor size alone or in combination with submucosal invasion depth or tumor budding appeared to be a significant predictive factor for locoregional failure after TEM for T1 rectal cancer.

Background: The CARTS study is a multicenter feasibility study, investigating the role of rectum saving surgery for distal rectal cancer., Methods/design: Patients with a clinical T1-3 N0 M0 rectal adenocarcinoma below 10 cm from the anal verge will receive neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy (25 fractions of 2 Gy with concurrent capecitabine). Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery (TEM) will be performed 8 - 10 weeks after the end of the preoperative treatment depending on the clinical response.Primary objective is to determine the number of patients with a (near) complete pathological response after chemoradiation therapy and TEM. Secondary objectives are the local recurrence rate and quality of life after this combined therapeutic modality. A three-step analysis will be performed after 20, 33 and 55 patients to ensure the feasibility of this treatment protocol., Discussion: The CARTS-study is one of the first prospective multicentre trials to investigate the role of a rectum saving treatment modality using chemoradiation therapy and local excision. The CARTS study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01273051).

Aim: In some patients with adenoma, snare polypectomy may be technically impossible owing to angulation of the colon or after previous surgery. This may result in a segmental colonic resection, if malignant invasion is thought to be likely. Laparoscopic mobilization of the colon to enable a simultaneous colonoscopy can avoid this difficulty., Method: A feasibility study was performed in 11 patients for whom endoscopic removal was technically impossible due to fibrosis after previous surgery or to anatomical difficulty. In 10, adenoma (histologically benign) had been diagnosed during diagnostic colonoscopy and in the remaining patient the indication was rectal bleeding., Results: It was possible to perform a full colonoscopy after laparoscopic mobilization in all cases. In nine of the 10 patients with adenoma 11 tubulovillous adenomas were removed endoscopically, and in one the tumour was too large for endoscopic resection even after full mobilization. A laparoscopic segmental resection was performed in this case. In the patient with rectal bleeding, colonoscopy revealed an angiodysplasia of the caecum, also treated by resection. Apart from the two patients having resection, all patients were discharged within 24 h of the procedure. During endoscopic follow up (4-27 months) there were no recurrences., Conclusions: Combined laparoscopy and endoscopy enabled removal of adenomas otherwise inaccessible for endoscopic techniques. Thus, segmental colon resections can be avoided in most of these patients., (© 2011 The Authors. Colorectal Disease © 2011 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Aim: Comparison of transanal excision (TE) and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) of rectal adenomas (RA) has rarely been performed., Method: From 1990 to 2007, the results of TE (43 RA) and TEM (216 RA) were compared. Rectal adenomas were matched for diameter and distance from the anal verge., Results: Operation time was 47.5 min for TE and 35 min for TEM (P < 0.001). Morbidity was 10% after TE and 5.3% after TEM (P < 0.001). Negative resection margins were observed in 50% after TE and 88% after TEM (P < 0.001). Fragmentation of the excised specimen was observed in 23.8% after TE and 1.4% after TEM (P < 0.001). In cases of fragmentation, positive resection margins were observed more frequently. Recurrence was 28.7% after TE and 6.1% after TEM (P < 0.001). After TE, RA with a negative resection margin had a local recurrence rate of 0%, compared with 59.6% with a positive margin (P < 0.001), and after TEM these rates were 3.2 and 7.7% (P = 0.3), respectively., Conclusion: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is superior to transanal excision of RA., (© 2011 The Authors. Colorectal Disease © 2011 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.)

Background: Recently, excellent results are reported on laparoscopic lavage in patients with purulent perforated diverticulitis as an alternative for sigmoidectomy and ostomy.The objective of this study is to determine whether LaparOscopic LAvage and drainage is a safe and effective treatment for patients with purulent peritonitis (LOLA-arm) and to determine the optimal resectional strategy in patients with a purulent or faecal peritonitis (DIVA-arm: perforated DIVerticulitis: sigmoidresection with or without Anastomosis)., Methods/design: In this multicentre randomised trial all patients with perforated diverticulitis are included. Upon laparoscopy, patients with purulent peritonitis are treated with laparoscopic lavage and drainage, Hartmann's procedure or sigmoidectomy with primary anastomosis in a ratio of 2:1:1 (LOLA-arm). Patients with faecal peritonitis will be randomised 1:1 between Hartmann's procedure and resection with primary anastomosis (DIVA-arm). The primary combined endpoint of the LOLA-arm is major morbidity and mortality. A sample size of 132:66:66 patients will be able to detect a difference in the primary endpoint from 25% in resectional groups compared to 10% in the laparoscopic lavage group (two sided alpha = 5%, power = 90%). Endpoint of the DIVA-arm is stoma free survival one year after initial surgery. In this arm 212 patients are needed to significantly demonstrate a difference of 30% (log rank test two sided alpha = 5% and power = 90%) in favour of the patients with resection with primary anastomosis. Secondary endpoints for both arms are the number of days alive and outside the hospital, health related quality of life, health care utilisation and associated costs., Discussion: The Ladies trial is a nationwide multicentre randomised trial on perforated diverticulitis that will provide evidence on the merits of laparoscopic lavage and drainage for purulent generalised peritonitis and on the optimal resectional strategy for both purulent and faecal generalised peritonitis., Trial Registration: Nederlands Trial Register NTR2037.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the management and outcome of local recurrences after transanal endoscopic microsurgery for T1 rectal cancer., Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent transanal endoscopic microsurgery for pT1 rectal cancer at a Dutch referral center (IJsselland Hospital) were registered in a prospective database. Follow-up was according to Dutch guidelines on rectal cancer, with additional rigid rectoscopy and endorectal ultrasound examinations every 3 months for the first 2 years, and every 6 months thereafter. Annual MRI of the lesser pelvis was added during the last 2 years of the study. Patients with local recurrence during follow-up were selected for individual analysis of outcome., Results: Of a total of 88 patients who underwent transanal endoscopic microsurgery for pT1 rectal cancer, 18 patients (20.5%) had a local recurrence. Median time to local recurrence was 10 (range, 4-50) months. Median age at diagnosis of recurrence was 74 (range, 56-84) years. Of the 18 patients, 2 did not undergo further surgery because of concomitant metastatic disease, and 16 underwent salvage surgery, without need for multivisceral resections. No postoperative mortality was observed. In 15 patients (94%), a microscopically negative excision margin was obtained; in 1 patient, the excision margin was microscopically positive. Median follow-up after salvage surgery was 20 (range, 2-112) months. One patient had a local renewal of recurrence, and 7 patients (39%) had distant metastases. At 3 years, overall survival was 31%; cancer-related survival was 58%., Conclusions: Recurrent disease after transanal endoscopic microsurgery for T1 rectal cancer is a major problem. Although salvage surgery for achieving local control is feasible in most patients, survival is limited, mainly because of distant metastases. Tailoring selection of T1 rectal cancers and exploring possible adjuvant treatment strategies following salvage procedures should be the next steps toward improving survival.

Purpose: Risk assessment for locoregional disease recurrence would be highly valuable in preoperative treatment planning for patients undergoing primary rectal tumor resection. Epigenetic aberrations such as DNA methylation have been shown to be significant prognostic biomarkers of disease outcome. In this study, we evaluated the significance of a quantitative epigenetic multimarker panel analysis of primary tumors to predict local recurrence in rectal cancer patients from a retrospective multicenter clinical trial., Experimental Design: Primary tumors were studied from patients enrolled in the trial who underwent total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer (n=325). Methylation levels of seven methylated-in-tumor (MINT) loci were assessed by absolute quantitative assessment of methylated alleles. Unsupervised random forest clustering of quantitative MINT methylation data was used to show subclassification into groups with matching methylation profiles., Results: Variable importance parameters [Gini-Index (GI)] of the clustering algorithm indicated MINT3 and MINT17 (GI, 20.2 and 20.7, respectively) to be informative for patient grouping compared with the other MINT loci (highest GI, 12.2). When using this two-biomarker panel, four different patient clusters were identified. One cluster containing 73% (184 of 251) of the patients was at significantly increased risk of local recurrence (hazard ratio, 10.23; 95% confidence interval, 1.38-75.91) in multivariate analysis, corrected for standard prognostic factors of rectal cancer. This group showed a significantly higher local recurrence probability than patients receiving preoperative radiation (P<0.0001)., Conclusion: Quantitative epigenetic subclassification of rectal cancers has clinical utility in distinguishing tumors with increased risk for local recurrence and may help tailor treatment regimens for locoregional control., (Copyright (c) 2010 AACR.)

Local excision for T1 rectal cancer is increasingly applied, in a strive to avoid the morbidity associated with radical surgery, despite limited evidence. One of the issues is the high rate of local recurrence following local excision (LE). In this article we focus on this item and review the literature articles concerning local excision and transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM), recurrence, and salvage surgery. Local recurrence rates after LE or TEM are unacceptably high. As outcome of this subgroup is limited, future studies should focus on proper tumor selection and adjuvant treatment strategies following salvage surgery.

Haemorrhoids occur in approximately 30% of the population. Commonly occurring complaints include blood loss, pruritus, hygiene problems and soiling. A high-fibre diet, with dietary-fiber supplementation if required, often resolves the symptoms. When symptoms are not resolved, the next step is rubber band ligation: a safe and easy procedure. In the long term, the result of rubber band ligation is often unsatisfactory. Haemorrhoidectomy was formerly the only alternative. Haemorrhoidectomy can be accompanied by serious complications, such as disabling pain and incontinence. Haemorrhoidectomy was therefore considered obsolete by the Dutch Institute for Healthcare Improvement (CBO) guideline of 1994. Today new operative procedures are available: Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation (DG-HAL) and stapled anopexy. Both techniques are safe and yield good results. Moreover, these techniques cause little postoperative pain. DG-HAL and stapled anopexy offer an alternative for patients whose symptoms are not resolved by dietary-fiber supplementation and rubber band ligation.

Purpose: After total mesorectal excision (TME) for rectal cancer, pathology is standardized with margin status as a predictor for recurrence. This has yet to be implemented after transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) and was investigated prospectively for T1 rectal adenocarcinomas., Patients and Methods: Eighty patients after TEM were compared to 75 patients after TME. The study protocol included standardized pathology. TEM patients were eligible when excision margins were negative., Results: TEM was safer than TME as reflected by operating time, blood loss, hospital stay, morbidity, re-operation rate and stoma formation (all P<0.001). Mortality after TEM was 0% and after TME 4%. At 5 years after TEM and TME, both overall survival (TEM 75% versus TME 77%, P=0.9) and cancer-specific survival (TEM 90% versus TME 87%, P=0.5) were comparable. Local recurrence rate after TEM was 24% and after TME 0% (HR 79.266, 95% CI, 1.208 to 5202, P<0.0001)., Conclusion: For T1 rectal adenocarcinomas TEM is much saver than TME and survival is comparable. After TEM local recurrence rate is substantial, despite negative excision margins.

Background: Previous research indicates that application of 5-mm harmonic shears rather than diathermia significantly reduces operation time in transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). Frequently, however, additional instruments were required to complete resection. We investigated whether the new 5-mm harmonic long shears (H-LS) are better equipped for TEM compared with regular harmonic shears (HS)., Methods: Between 2001 and 2006, 162 tumors (117 adenomas, 42 carcinomas, and 3 other tumors; mean distance 6.6 cm, mean area 40 cm(2)) were excised in 161 patients (82 men, 79 women; mean age 66 years)., Results: Eighty-eight resections were performed with HS and 74 with H-LS. Tumor and patient characteristics were similar except for specimen area. Tumors resected by H-LS were on average smaller than those resected by HS (34.4 versus 44.1 cm(2); Mann-Whitney U-test: p = 0.027). Mean operation time was 48 min and proportional to area in both groups (univariate analysis of variance p < 0.001). Mean operation time was 54 min using HS and 41 min using H-LS (t-test: p < 0.001). After correction for area, operation time for H-LS was reduced by 14% compared with HS (t-test: p < 0.001). H-LS is singly capable of completing resection in 88% compared with 26% for HS (Mann-Whitney U-test: p < 0.001). Mean blood loss was 16 cc for HS and 3 cc for H-LS (p < 0.001). Morbidity (11%) and mortality (0.6%) were not different between the two groups (Fisher's exact test)., Conclusion: Performing transanal endoscopic microsurgery with 5-mm harmonic long shears reduces operation time compared with regular shears, and completing resection seldom requires other instruments.

Objective: The aim of this study was to review the results and long-term outcome after total mesorectal excision (TME) for adenocarcinoma of the rectum in an unselected population in a community teaching hospital., Materials and Methods: Between 1996 and 2003, 210 patients with rectal cancer were identified in our prospective database, containing patient characteristics, radiotherapy plans, operation notes, histopathological reports, and follow-up details. An evaluation of prognostic factors for local recurrence, distant metastases, and overall survival was performed., Results: The mean age at diagnosis was 69 years (range 40-91 years). A total of 145 patients were treated by anterior rectal resection; 65 patients had to undergo an abdominoperineal resection (APR). Anastomotic leakage rate was 5%. Postoperative mortality was 3%. After a median follow-up of 3.6 years, the local recurrence-free rate in patients with microscopically complete resections was 91%. The 5-year overall survival rate was 58%. An increased serum carcinoembryonic antigen, an APR, positive lymph nodes, and an incomplete resection all significantly influenced the 5-year overall survival and local recurrence rate. In a multivariate analysis, age was the most important prognostic factor for overall survival., Conclusions: Patients with rectal cancer can safely be treated with TME in a community teaching hospital and leads to a good overall survival and an excellent local control. In patients aged above 80, treatment-related mortality is an important competitive risk factor, which obscures the positive effect of modern rectal cancer treatment.

Introduction: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal adenomas is safe and has low recurrence rates. However, the feasibility of the procedure for all rectal adenomas is unclear. This issue was investigated prospectively., Methods: From 1996 to 2007, 353 consecutive rectal adenomas were evaluated according to a standard protocol. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery was intended in all rectal adenomas., Results: The median diameter was 3 cm and median distance was 8 cm. The peritoneum was opened peroperatively without any adverse effects in 8.7 percent. The conversion rate was 9.6 percent, with an alternative local procedure performed in 4.2 percent and a transabdominal procedure performed in 5.4 percent. Conversion rate correlated with the distance of the tumor (P = 0.007) and the operating surgeon's level of experience (P = 0.004). The median operation time was 45 minutes. Operation time correlated with specimen area, experience, and operating surgeon (all P < 0.001). All rectal adenomas were excised in one piece. Complete margins were observed in 85 percent. Rectal adenomas with incomplete margins were larger (P < 0.001) and were located more proximally (P < 0.001). Morbidity was 7.8 percent and mortality 0.6 percent. The median hospital stay was four days. The median follow-up was 27 months. The recurrence rate at three years was 9.1 percent. The median time from operation to recurrence was 12 (range, 4-54) months. Resection margin status was a predictor of recurrence, with 6.1 percent recurrence in cases of complete margins and 25.2 percent in cases of incomplete margins (P < 0.001)., Conclusions: For nearly all rectal adenomas, transanal endoscopic microsurgery is safe, feasible, and has excellent results.

Driven by the aim to avoid a permanent colostomy and also the morbidity and mortality of major radical surgery for rectal cancer, the proportion of patients with rectal cancer treated by local excision has increased the last ten years or so. In T1 carcinomas local excision is considered a curative option in selected tumors. However, the scientific base upon which this treatment regimen is built remains controversial. In this systematic review we try to elucidate current literature regarding local excision for T1 rectal carcinomas. Several questions are addressed. First, is there enough evidence to propagate LE as a curative option in selected (T1) rectal carcinomas? Second, if LE is justified, which technique should be the method of choice? Third, can we adequately identify, pre- and postoperatively, tumors suitable for LE? Finally, future perspectives are discussed.

Background: Treatment of rectal cancer with preoperative radiotherapy followed by total mesorectal excision is nowadays the standard treatment. It reduces local recurrences and improves overall survival. However, in patients with T2-3, N0 rectal cancer, the role of preoperative radiotherapy remains controversial. The aim of this study was to review the benefit of radiotherapy in T2 and T3, N0 rectal cancer patients., Methods: Between 1996 and 2003, 103 patients with T2-3, N0 rectal cancer were identified in our prospective database. This study evaluated time to local recurrence, distant metastases and overall survival., Results: Median follow-up was 4.3 years. The 5-year local control rate was 94%. The 5-year overall survival was 65%. The 5-year disease-free survival rate was 82%. Preoperative radiotherapy did not show any statistical differences. Abdominal perineal resection and T3 tumors negatively influenced overall survival (p = 0.02). Advanced age was of significant importance in overall survival., Conclusions: Preoperative radiotherapy does not seem to be of significant importance in patients with T2-3, N0 rectal cancer regarding local recurrence and survival. Since preoperative radiotherapy is associated with short- and long-term morbidity, patients with T2-3, N0 tumors should be identified and treated with surgery alone., (Copyright 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Introduction: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a minimal invasive technique for local excision of rectal tumours. The procedure is performed via a rectoscope with a diametre of 4 cm. The aim of this prospective study was to assess both functional outcome and quality of life after TEM., Patients and Methods: Between 2004 and 2006, 47 patients were studied prior to and at least 6 months after TEM. Demographics, operative details and post-operative complications were recorded. Functional outcome was determined using the Faecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI). Quality of life was measured using the EuroQol EQ-5D questionnaire and the Faecal Incontinence Quality of Life (FIQL) score., Results: Six months after surgery, median FISI score was found to be decreased (p<0.01), depicting an improvement in faecal continence. This improvement was most significant in tumours within 7 cm from the dentate line (p=0.01). From the patients' perspective, post-operative quality of life was found to be higher (p<0.02). A significant improvement was observed in two of the four FIQLS domains (embarrassment, p=0.03; lifestyle, p=0.05). The domains of lifestyle, coping and behaviour and embarrassment were correlated with the FISI (all p<0.05)., Conclusion: This study indicates TEM has no deteriorating effect on faecal continence. Moreover, once the tumour has been excised using TEM, quality of life is improved.

Purpose: Adequate preoperative staging of large sessile rectal tumors requires identifying adenomas that already contain an invasive focus, specifically those that are growing in or beyond the submucosa. We systematically compared chromosomal instability patterns in adenoma and carcinoma fractions of the same lesion to assess specific steps in rectal tumor progression., Experimental Design: We analyzed 36 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumors. Both the adenoma and carcinoma fractions were typed with single nucleotide polymorphism arrays and compared with 21 previously described pure adenomas. Eighteen cases were included in an intratumor heterogeneity analysis., Results: Five specific "malignant" events (gain of 8q, 13q, and 20q and loss of 17p and 18q) and aberrant staining for p53 and SMAD4 were all increased in the adenoma fractions of carcinoma cases compared with pure adenomas. Paired analysis revealed that 31% of the samples had an equal amount of malignant aberrations in their adenoma and carcinoma fractions, whereas 25% had one and 33% had two or more extra malignant events in the carcinoma fraction. Analysis of three core biopsies per patient showed a large degree of intratumor heterogeneity. However, the number of malignant aberrations in the biopsy with the most aberrations per tumor correlated with the corresponding adenoma or carcinoma fraction (r = 0.807; P < 0.001)., Conclusion: Five specific chromosomal aberrations, combined with immunohistochemistry for p53 and SMAD4, can predict possible progression of sessile rectal adenomas to early rectal cancer and can, after validation studies, be added to preoperative staging. Preferably, three biopsies should be taken from each tumor to address intratumor heterogeneity.

Introduction: In rectal tumors, preoperative biopsies frequently fail to diagnose an invasive carcinoma. Endorectal ultrasound is considered a useful adjunct in preoperative staging of rectal tumors. However, feasibility of endorectal ultrasound and its role in therapeutic decision-making in presumed rectal adenomas is sparsely studied., Methods: Endorectal ultrasound was performed in 268 tumors referred for local excision because biopsies showed tubulovillous adenoma. Feasibility of endorectal ultrasound was studied and ultrasound staging was compared with definite histopathologic findings., Results: In 231 tumors, endorectal ultrasound was technically feasible (86 percent). Median distance from the dentate line was 11 cm in nonassessable tumors and 7 cm in assessable tumors (P < 0.001). In 21 tumors, endorectal ultrasound was not conclusive, mainly in tumors being recurrent or after recent endoscopic manipulation (P < 0.001). With endorectal ultrasound the rate of preoperative missed carcinomas could be reduced from 21 to 3 percent (P < 0.01). In diagnosing tubulovillous adenomas, sensitivity and specificity of endorectal ultrasound was 89 and 86 percent, respectively., Conclusions: Endorectal ultrasound is technically feasible in almost all presumed rectal adenomas, referred for local excision. Proper endorectal ultrasound interpretation is possible in 78 percent of all presumed rectal adenomas. Endorectal ultrasound is very reliable in diagnosing tubulovillous adenomas, and therapeutic decision-making regarding local excision vs. radical surgery based on endorectal ultrasound is valid.

Objective: Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the gold standard in rectal cancer, if curation is intended. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a much safer technique and seems to have comparable survival in early rectal cancer. The impact of both procedures on quality of life has never been compared. In this study we compared quality of life after TEM and TME., Method: Fifty-four patients underwent TEM for a T1 carcinoma. Only patients without known locoregional or distant recurrences were included, resulting in 36 eligible patients in whom quality of life after TEM was studied. The questionnaires used included the EuroQol EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, EORTC QLQ-C30 and EORTC QLQ-CR38. The results were compared with a sex-and age-matched sample of T+N0 rectal cancer patients who had undergone sphincter saving surgery by TME and a sex- and age matched community-based sample of healthy persons., Results: Thirty-one patients after TEM returned completed questionnaires (overall response rate 86%). Quality of life was compared with 31 TME patients and 31 healthy controls. From the patients' and social perspective quality of life did not differ between the three groups. Compared with TEM, significant defecation problems were seen after TME (P < 0.05). A trend towards better sexual functioning after TEM, compared with TME, was seen, especially in male patients, although it did not reach statistical significance., Conclusion: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery and TME do not seem to differ in quality of life postoperatively, but defecation disorders are more frequently encountered after TME. This difference could play a role in the choice of surgical therapy in (early) rectal cancer. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm our conclusions.

Background: Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) in the large bowel, which is composed of spindle-shaped cells arranged in a pleiomorphic and storiform pattern, is an extremely rare tumor., Methods: We in this study report on a case of a 73-year-old man with a sarcoma arising from a diverticular sigmoid without any signs of involvement of regional lymph nodes or metastasis to liver or the abdomen., Results: A sigmoid resection was performed with an uneventful postoperative course. Microscopically, the tumor consisted of bundles of spindle-shaped and pleiomorphic multinucleated cells without differentiation characteristics for other tumors than MFH., Summary: Since the late 1970s, only 22 case reports of colorectal MFH have been documented, and little is known about its histogenesis and optimal treatment. A review of the cases and the world literature on immunohistochemistry and treatment is given.

Background: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a minimally invasive technique for local resection of rectal tumors. Its place needs to be defined for resection of carcinoid tumors of the rectum., Materials and Methods: From 1998 to 2004, rectal carcinoid tumors were diagnosed in 5 patients. The diagnosis was suggested at biopsy in all patients. All tumors were resected full thickness with transanal endoscopic microsurgery. Data were obtained retrospectively from a review of hospital charts., Results: At the time of operation all tumors were small without clinical or biochemical signs of metastasis. All resected tumors were highly differentiated and had free margins without invasion into the submucosa. Operative times ranged from 15 to 35 minutes. Hospital stays ranged from 2 to 4 days. No morbidity or mortality was observed. Follow-up ranged from 3 to 75 months. No recurrences were observed., Conclusion: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is an excellent technique for removal of carcinoid tumors of the rectum and even the distal part of the sigmoid, if the diameter is <1 cm without invasion of the rectal wall.

Most human cancers show genetic instabilities leading to allelic imbalances, including loss of heterozygosity (LOH). Single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays can be used to detect LOH. Currently, these arrays require intact genomic DNA as obtained from frozen tissue; however, for most cancer cases, only low-quality DNA from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue is available. In this study, we tested Illumina BeadArrays to genotype FFPE tissue and detect LOH/allelic imbalances in matched colorectal tumor and normal tissue. Genotypes were compared between leukocyte and FFPE normal tissue as well as between frozen and FFPE tumor tissue. Identical genotypes and LOH profiles were obtained from normal and tumor isolates. LOH was mainly observed on chromosomes 4, 5q, 12q, 14q, 15q, 17p, 18, and 20p, which are commonly detected regions in colorectal cancer. LOH profiles of the BeadArrays were compared with profiles obtained by Affymetrix GeneChip 10K arrays, showing identical LOH patterns. These data show that genome-wide genotyping of FFPE tissue with the BeadArray gives reliable results and is a powerful technique for LOH analysis.

Background: For transanal endoscopic microsurgery, the ultracision Harmonic Scalpel (UC) and the multifunctional TEM400 instrument (T400) seem advantageous. This study investigated their clinical use., Methods: Prospective analysis of tumor, patient, and operation characteristics was performed for 196 tumor resections per instrument intended for application., Results: The T400 instrument was applied in 162 operations, and the UC in 34 operations. Tumor and patient characteristics were similar except for tumor area (respectively, 7.5 and 17 cm(2); p = 0.003). Operative time was proportionate to the tumor area (p < 0.001) and inversely proportionate to its distance from the dentate line to the lower margin of the tumor of the UC (p = 0.002). Application reduced operative time by 26% (p = 0.02, corrected for area). Whereas, T400 was always singly sufficient for excision, the UC required T400 application in 50% of operations, especially for larger tumors (p = 0.026), with the result that more rectal wall circumference was captured (p = 0.043). Both groups had similar safety parameters., Conclusions: The UC substantially reduced operative time compared with the T400, but frequently required the T400 for procedure completion. The T400 is always singly sufficient.