https://goresee.com/videos/watch/023033f5-848e-43ce-bfd2-8530c31aa408 A transanal approach to rectal polyp and cancer excision is often an appropriate alternative to conventional rectal resection, and has a lower associated morbidity. There has been a steady evolution in the techniques of transanal surgery over the past 30 years. It started with traditional transanal excision and was revolutionized by introduction of transanal endoscopic microsurgery in early 1980s. Introduction of transanal minimally invasive surgery made it more accessible to surgeons around the world. Now robotic platforms are being tried in certain institutions. Concerns have been raised about recurrence rates of cancers with transanal approach and success of subsequent salvage operations. In recent years, advanced endoscopic techniques such as endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal resection have decreased the role of invasive surgery in the treatment of premalignant colorectal disease. However, despite the most advanced medical and endoscopic therapies, colorectal polyps still often require surgical resection. Choosing the appropriate surgical approach to complex rectal polyps and early rectal cancers is extremely important. This approach must often balance the rates of successful tumor eradication with the pain, disability, and functional implications to the patient. Due to the significant morbidity and alterations in quality of life associated with low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection, a great deal of time and research has been dedicated to the transanal approach to these tumors. The debate about patient selection for the transanal excision (TAE) of a rectal tumor has been extensive, and is often tailored to the patients based on their risk factors and their priorities. Such a discussion is beyond the scope of this article. Instead, we will focus on the general indications for local excision of rectal tumors, the available approaches and platforms, and the associated functional and oncologic outcomes.In recent years, advanced endoscopic techniques such as endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal resection have decreased the role of invasive surgery in the treatment of premalignant colorectal disease. However, despite the most advanced medical and endoscopic therapies, colorectal polyps still often require surgical resection. The local excision of rectal tumors has been long advocated for premalignant lesions, where all that is sought is tumor eradication, without need for lymph node sampling and without fear of leaving behind a residual invasive malignancy. TAE has also been used as definitive treatment of early rectal cancers in select groups without adverse prognostic features. It has also been advocated as a palliative approach for advanced rectal cancers, especially in patients not fit for invasive surgery. Atypical rectal tumors such as carcinoid tumors and gastrointestinal stromal tumors are often approached via TAE as well. Wed, 29 Apr 2026 05:41:12 GMT https://validator.w3.org/feed/docs/rss2.html PeerTube - https://goresee.com https://goresee.com/client/assets/images/icons/icon-1500x1500.png https://goresee.com/videos/watch/023033f5-848e-43ce-bfd2-8530c31aa408 All rights reserved, unless otherwise specified in the terms specified at https://goresee.com/about and potential licenses granted by each content's rightholder.