RT Journal A1 Scala A, Gravante G, Dastur N, Sorge R, Simson JL T1 TRansanal endoscopic microsurgery in small, large, and giant rectal adenomas JF Archives of Surgery JO Archives of Surgery YR 2012 FD December 1 VO 147 IS 12 SP 1093 OP 1100 DO 10.1001/archsurg.2012.1954 UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/archsurg.2012.1954 AB Objective  To assess the outcomes of transanal endoscopic microsurgery in small (<3 cm), large (3-5 cm), and giant (>5 cm) lesions and compare these with reports of alternative techniques.Design  Data from January 1998 to February 2010 were prospectively collected. Lesions were divided into 3 groups according to the maximum diameter (group A, <3 cm; group B, 3-5 cm; and group C, >5 cm) and outcomes were analyzed separately.Setting  Colorectal unit in a single-district general hospital.Patients  Patients diagnosed as having benign rectal adenomas.Intervention  Transanal endoscopic microsurgery excision.Main Outcome Measures  Completion of excision (R0), en bloc and full-thickness excisions, complication and local recurrence rates, and disease-free survival.Results  A total of 320 lesions were analyzed. Overall en bloc and full-thickness excision rates were 99% and 80.7%, respectively. In the 279 benign lesions, the R0 rate was 90.3%. Outcomes for groups A, B, and C were, respectively: 9.3%, 12.8%, and 14.4% incidence of unexpected malignancy (P = .64); 95.9%, 92.2%, and 85.1% R0 resection for benign lesions (P = .19); and 7.4%, 14.9%, and 24.6% complication rates (P < .05). Overall operative mortality was 1 of 320 (0.3%). In group C, there was a higher estimated recurrence rate, therefore a lower disease-free survival than groups A and B; this difference was significant 40 months after surgery. Recurrences were associated with closeness to dentate line and advanced age (univariate analysis) and R1 resection (Cox regression).Conclusions  Outcomes of transanal endoscopic microsurgery on large rectal lesions compared favorably with literature reports of alternative techniques. Postoperative complications and recurrences increased significantly with lesions larger than 5 cm.