Transanal division of the anorectal junction followed by laparoscopic low anterior resection and coloanal pouch anastomosis: A technique facilitated by a balloon port

Abstract

We performed a laparoscopic ultra low anterior resection in two patients with low rectal cancers (3 cm from dentate line). A transanal division and continuous suture closure of anorectal junction was performed first followed by laparoscopic low anterior resection. A handsewn anastomosis between colonic pouch/transverse coloplasty and anal canal was facilitated by use of a transanal balloon port.

Keywords

• Balloon port
• hand-sewn coloanal pouch anastomosis
• laparoscopic low anterior resection
• transanal approach