Despite innovative advancements, distally located rectal cancer remains a critical disease of challenging management. The crucial location of the tumor predisposes it to a circumferential resection margin (CRM) that tends to involve the anal sphincter complex and surrounding organs, with a high incidence of delayed anastomotic complications and the risk of the pelvic sidewall or rarely inguinal lymph node metastases. In this regard, colorectal surgeons should be aware of other issues beyond total mesorectal excision (TME) performance. For decades, the concept of extralevator abdominoperineal resection to avoid compromised CRM has been introduced. However, the complexity of deep pelvic dissection with poor visualization in low-lying rectal cancer has led to transanal TME. In contrast, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) has allowed for the execution of more sphincter-saving procedures without oncologic compromise. Significant tumor regression after NCRT and complete pathologic response also permit applying the watch-and-wait protocol in some cases, now with more solid evidence. This review article will introduce the current surgical treatment options, their indication and technical details, and recent oncologic and functional outcomes. Lastly, the novel characteristics of distal rectal cancer, such as pelvic sidewall and inguinal lymph node metastases, will be discussed along with its tailored and individualized treatment approach.

Introduction and importance Essential thrombocythemia (ET) is a myeloproliferative disorder characterized by increased platelet count and a high risk of bleeding or thrombotic events due to platelet dysfunction. Patients with ET are treated according to their risk of complications with cytoreductive or anti-aggregant treatment. Neither guidelines for oncologic patients nor perioperative management of patients with ET have been determined. Case presentation A 41-year-old female patient with ET who had alternating constipation and diarrhea was referred after a screening colonoscopy diagnosing a locally advanced rectosigmoid junction colon adenocarcinoma with liver metastases. Systemic preoperative chemotherapy was indicated. The patient underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection plus volume-preserving right lobectomy of the liver. Postoperative bleeding of the internal iliac artery (IIA) associated with hematoma at the lower pelvic cavity was diagnosed and treated by interventional radiology; the patient was discharged without other complications 16 days after surgery. Clinical discussion ET has been related to the development of hematologic complications or second non-hematologic malignancies. A systematic review was conducted to seek guidance for the management of such patients in the perioperative period. Special perioperative care must be taken, and complications management should avoid further hemorrhages or cloth formation. Conclusion Under oncologic and hematological guidance, minimally invasive surgery and non-invasive management of complications are advised in the lack of published perioperative management guidelines of ET patients with colorectal cancer.

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Controversial surgical anatomical landmarks in the deep pelvis can be visualized and identified using current technologies. Performing the gate approach technique during deep lateral dissection for total mesorectal excision facilitates visualization of the pelvic neurovascular structures following simple dissection steps to preserve the pelvic autonomic nerves and avoid accidental vascular injuries. Here, we discuss laparoscopic exposure of an infrequent disposition of the middle rectal artery anterior to the lateral ligament of the rectum while performing the gate approach.

See video on DCR YouTube Channel at https:// youtu.be/uqjvsxL9whE BACKGROUND: The role of Denonvilliers' fascia in achieving a negative circumferential resection margin during anterior total mesorectal excision has been controversial. Opinions on whether to dissect in the anterior or posterior surgical plane varies among researchers. IMPACT OF INNOVATION:We performed total mesorectal excision with selective en bloc resection of Denonvilliers' fascia based on preoperative MRI staging, preoperative clinical tumor stage, and tumor level in selected patients with anterior rectal tumors adherent to Denonvilliers' fascia. TECHNOLOGY‚ MATERIALS‚ AND METHODS:Between March and August 2021, 5 patients who underwent robotic (n = 4) and laparoscopic (n = 1) total mesorectal excision for anteriorly located low rectal Funding/Support: None reported.

Introduction and importance World Health Organization (WHO) defines PEComa as a mesenchymal tumor composed of histologically and immunohistochemically distinctive perivascular epithelioid cells. The symptoms and clinical signs of PEComa patients are nonspecific. Hence, diagnosis is usually difficult. Since it's a rare diagnosis, further research might help in understanding the disease better. Case presentation The patient in this study was an asymptomatic patient, who did colonoscopy as part of a regular check-up. A submucosal cecal tumor was detected in colonoscopy, and apart from that, all other investigative parameters were within normal limits. Clinical discussion Laparoscopic Ileocecectomy was performed, and the histopathology report was suggestive of Pecomatosis (PEComa – Perivascular epithelioid cell tumor). The PEComas, neoplasms with perivascular epithelioid cell differentiation, are mesenchymal tumors composed of histologically and immunohistochemically distinctive perivascular epithelioid cells (PEC). The characteristic features of PEC are the positivity of melanocytic markers and smooth muscle markers. Conclusion Perivascular epithelioid tumors are mostly rare in the gastrointestinal tract, and even more unusual to be detected in Cecum. Surgery is the mainstay of the treatment, although, adjuvant therapy has been tried in recent times. The patients have to be kept in close follow-up, as there are reported cases of recurrences and distant metastasis.

In the original online version of this article Oreste Claudio Buonomo's family name was misspelled.The original article was corrected.

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