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Rectal tumors can be removed safer and faster with TAMIS
The United States of America has been home for the first surgical team lead by Elisabeth McLemore, MD, to use a new operating method for removing rectal tumors. This new method is called Trans-Anal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS) and it carries numerous benefits, it allows doctors to remove large polyps and masses that can't be removed with a regular colonoscopy.
TAMIS offers its patients a more pleasant surgical experience by reducing the pain and scarring levels compared to normal surgical procedures. McLemore, colorectal surgeon at UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center is the third person to perform this new type of surgery and claims that TAMIS allows surgeons to remove the polyp or mass by using a natural body opening thus eliminating the need to cut into the abdomen, remove and reconstruct the colon and rectum.
The new surgery method called TAMIS uses a soft but reliable platform in which thin surgical instruments are placed. The soft platform is then inserted in the anus and it is equipped with a camera to offer the surgeon full visualization of the rectal mass. This camera is aimed to help increase the precision of the surgeon and to help him pinpoint and identify more rapidly the mass. Doctors can determine the thickness of the abnormality by removing it intact through the anus. The new operating technique does not leave any scars because the stitches are done internally.
Doctors have already found new applications for this surgical platform. TAMIS will likely serve as the platform for rectal natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) although it hasn't been ever done before in the United States. The new tool could also help treating patients with familial adenomatous polyposis, Gardner's syndrome and Lynch syndrome.
Nobody knows what the future holds for this technology but scientist hope that one day they will be able to remove the entire colon or rectum through the anus leaving the abdomen free of any incisions. Furthermore they hope to offer patient the minimum amount of discomfort during and after surgery.
