Minimally invasive rectal surgery: Laparoscopy, robotics, and transanal approaches
Brian K. Bednarski MD
Department of Surgical Oncology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
The management of rectal cancer is constantly evolving. Some of the recent changes in rectal cancer management are directed toward the sequencing of multidisciplinary treatment including the use of total neoadjuvant therapy which incorporates neoadjuvant radiation and neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery.1,2 Moreover, the concept of overtreatment in rectal cancer has lead to investigations on the selective use of radiation and as well as the concept of nonoperative management of rectal cancer.3‐5 The incorporation of these various approaches to rectal cancer management has enabled physicians to apply more personalized treatment algorithms, rather than sweeping generalizations. This concept of personalizing rectal cancer treatment is not lost on the approach to surgical resection.
