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Language : English 中文 Tiếng Việt 日本 Bahasa

Transanal Endoscopic Resection of Rectal Tumours

Transanal Endoscopic Resection
Transanal Endoscopic Resection of Rectal Tumours
Dr Tan Wah Siew
Dr Tan Wah Siew
Senior Consultant Colorectal Surgeon
MBBS, MMed (Surgery), FAMS, FRCSEd
In some cases of large rectal polyps or selected early stage rectal cancers, the transanal endoscopic resection of rectal tumours may be a suitable option for patients. It also provides better visualization and precision.

In what situations are transanal resection of rectal tumours performed?

  • Rectal polyps that are too large to be removed during colonoscopy

    Colorectal polyps are potentially pre-cancerous and polyps that are too large to be removed during colonoscopy have to be removed surgically.
  • Selected early stage rectal cancers

    The usual treatment of rectal cancer is surgical resection with an anterior resection or abdominoperineal resection. However, selected patients with early rectal cancers and favourable features on histology, may be treated with transanal removal. The advantages of this procedure are that it is a less major procedure than surgical resection and a stoma can be avoided.

How is transanal endoscopic resection performed?

During surgery, a special device that seals up the rectum and allows the maintenance of pneumo-rectum (where carbon dioxide is insufflated into the rectum) is inserted through the anus. This device also allows the insertion of instruments like a camera, grasping forceps and cutting devices.

The pneumo-rectum expands the rectum so that there is space for insertion and movement of the equipment. The high definition camera provides the surgeon with a magnified view of the tumour, and long instruments inserted through the device allows the surgeon to remove the tumour, much like how laparoscopic surgery is performed.

Traditionally, transanal resection of rectal tumours was performed open, without the use of any devices or cameras. However, studies have found that transanal endoscopic resection is associated with better resection margins (better clearance of the tumour cells). This is because of better visualization of the tumour with the camera, allowing surgery to be performed with improved accuracy.

Male General Surgeon
Singapore male Surgeon
Dr Tan Wah Siew

Senior Consultant Colorectal Surgeon

MBBS, MMed (Surgery), FAMS, FRCSEd

Dr Tan Wah Siew is a Senior Consultant Colorectal Surgeon with experience in colorectal cancer, minimally invasive surgery and complex bowel conditions. Prior to private practice, she served as Senior Consultant at the Department of Colorectal Surgery at Singapore General Hospital and was the first female consultant colorectal surgeon in SGH's history. She was also among the earliest female general surgeons in Singapore trained in robotic colorectal surgery. Dr Tan further advanced her expertise through a Ministry of Health sponsored fellowship at St. James University Hospital in the United Kingdom, where she received specialised training in minimally invasive and robotic colorectal surgery, inflammatory bowel disease surgery and the management of advanced and recurrent pelvic cancers.

Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre
#08-07, 3 Mount Elizabeth, Singapore 228510
Tel: 6454 0054 | Fax: 6764 0054 | Email: ask@surgicalassociates.sg

Gleneagles Medical Centre
#05-01, 6 Napier Road, Singapore 258499
Tel: 6471 0054 | Fax: 6271 0054

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