The technique of total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer

Abstract

In modern era, rectal cancers are treated with the aim of cure. This means that the resection of all diseased organ with its surrounding mesorectum and the prevention of loco-regional recurrence. Total mesorectal excision (TME), which is first described by Heald has all these advantages, and the results are excellent. Thus, the technique has become the national standard in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands while in the larger countries like Germany, France and the UK, official guidelines support it. In the present study, TME concept has been divided in three parts and described in detail with appropriate pictures.