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Genova et al . Mini-invasive Surg 2020;4:20 Mini-invasive Surgery
DOI: 10.20517/2574-1225.2019.47

Review Open Access

Robotic transanal surgery: perspectives for
application

Pietro Genova , Riccardo Memeo , Francesco Brunetti 3
2
1
1 Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences (Di.Chir.On.S.), Paolo Giaccone University Hospital, University of
Palermo, Palermo 90127, Italy.
2 Department of Emergency and Organ Transplantation, Institute of General Surgery and Liver Transplantation, University of
Bari, Bari 70124, Italy.
3 Department of Digestive and Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary Surgery, Henri Mondor University Hospital, AP-HP, Université Paris-
Est Créteil (UPEC), Créteil 94010, France.
Correspondence to: Dr. Pietro Genova, Department of Surgical, Oncological and Oral Sciences (Di.Chir.On.S.), Paolo Giaccone
University Hospital, University of Palermo, Via del Vespro 129, Palermo 90127, Italy. E-mail: pietro.genova@gmail.com

How to cite this article: Genova P, Memeo R, Brunetti F. Robotic transanal surgery: perspectives for application. Mini-invasive
Surg 2020;4:20. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2574-1225.2019.47

Received: 30 Oct 2019 First Decision: 3 Feb 2020 Revised: 27 Feb 2020 Accepted: 4 Mar 2020 Published: 13 Mar 2020

Science Editor: Giulio Belli Copy Editor: Jing-Wen Zhang Production Editor: Tian Zhang

Abstract
Transanal minimally invasive surgery (TAMIS) is a surgical technique which allows the local excision of rectal benign
tumors and early stage cancers measuring up to 4 cm and lying within 6-8 cm from the anal verge. It is performed by
means of a disposable transanal platform and conventional laparoscopic instruments, proving to be effective and easily
available. Hence, TAMIS soon became a valid alternative to other transanal resective procedures, especially transanal
endoscopic microsurgery, and rapidly spread. Moreover, soon after its introduction, TAMIS started to be performed also
using robotic technologies, but no clear advantages were found to date. This review is intended to provide a general
overview on TAMIS, with a special focus on its association with robotic systems and the perspectives of this approach.

Keywords: Transanal minimally invasive surgery, robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery, robotic transanal surgery

INTRODUCTION
Benign tumors and early stage cancers of the rectum measuring less than 4 cm and lying within 6-8 cm from
[1]
the anal verge represented for a long time an indication for conventional transanal excision (TAE) . This
technique was performed under direct view using a rigid anoscope and conventional surgical instruments.
However, inadequate exposure was quite usual, especially when lesions were located in the middle or

© The Author(s) 2020. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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