Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM): initial experience

INTRODUCTION: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is a technique created in the 1980's for resections of rectal tumors. This technique is a good option for the resections of rectal tumors, with low morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: To report the initial experience of two different services in the Brazilian Northeast, Bahia and Pernambuco. METHODS: Retrospective and descriptive data collected from January 2010 to June 2012 regarding the postoperative outcomes of patients who underwent transanal endoscopic microsurgery for rectal tumor resection in these services. RESULTS: Our initial experience consisted of 52 patients, being 59.6% males; 71.2% were benign diseases, and the mean distance from the anal margin was 5.6 cm. Mean hospital stay was 1.2 days. Complications included bleeding, perforation and entry to the abdominal cavity in three cases, as well as suture dehiscence and neoplasm recurrence in an advanced adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSION: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery is an excellent technical option for the resection of rectum adenomas, which are not feasible for endoscopic resection. The procedure may be used for other indications, as the resection of anal fistulae, being an useful instrument in colorectal surgery.