Overview
Robotic Transanal Surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows the surgeon to operate on problems in the mid and upper rectum without having to make an incision through the abdomen. The instruments are specially designed so that the procedure can be performed through the anus and in the rectum.
Procedure
An operating proctoscope is placed through the anus and positioned over the lesion. A special microscope is used to look at the area directly and with a video camera. Long instruments are then used to grasp, cut, and suture.
This technique may be recommended for patients with polyps that are too large to be removed with a colonoscope and small cancers that have not yet invaded into the muscle layer of the bowel wall.