Correct comparison of our results with functional outcome after anterior rectal resection is impossible. We feel, however, that functional results after TEM are likely to be superior to those after anterior resection for rectal tumors.

General rights It is not permitted to download or to forward/distribute the text or part of it without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), other than for strictly personal, individual use, unless the work is under an open content license (like Creative Commons). Disclaimer/Complaints regulationsIf you believe that digital publication of certain material infringes any of your rights or (privacy) interests, please let the Library know, stating your reasons. In case of a legitimate complaint, the Library will make the material inaccessible and/or remove it from the website. Abstract. With the development of endoscopic surgery, new hazards of high-frequency (HF) electrosurgery have been recognized. The potential risks of monopolar electrosurgery, the limitations of bipolar technique, and the need to reduce instrument interchange have favored the use of ultrasonic technology, which becomes more and more popular. This work aims at presenting the main features of the currently available ultrasonically activated scalpels, as well as their advantages, limitations, and indications.

A new transanal endoscopic operative technique permits microsurgery in the rectal cavity and the placing of surgical sutures. Compared with other procedures this one is non-aggressive, and there were not postoperative complications in twelve cases. A stereoscopic optical system, a new operating rectoscope and special surgical instruments, as well as a modification to an insufflation device are necessary for the endoscopic operation.

The results of conventional endosonographic techniques in the assessment of early carcinomas and sessile polyps of the rectum have been unsatisfactory. We therefore developed a new technique in which the rectal cavity is filled directly with water. Using this technique, the anatomy of small rectal tumors is preserved and the layers of the rectal wall are easier to differentiate, especially with a 10-MHz scanner. The clinical results in 66 patients demonstrate that this new technique is very accurate in the preoperative staging of adenomas and T1-carcinomas of the rectum.

Esophagotracheal fistula is usually a sequela of irradiation or laser treatment of advanced carcinoma of the esophagus or the tracheobronchial tree. Resection of the tumor in these cases is not possible, and palliative bypass surgery is highly risky. The peroral placement of a prosthesis is less invasive, but conventional prostheses often fail to occlude the fistula. The authors regularly use an endoscopic multiple-diameter bougie for dilation. After dilation, a specially designed prosthesis is pushed through the tumor stenosis to block the fistula. This procedure can be done without general anesthesia. The funnels of conventional prostheses cannot cover the fistula when there is either a wide, proximal esophagus above the fistula or a high fistula. To cope with this particular situation, a special fistula funnel was developed. It perfectly occludes the fistulas in all patients. Of 21 patients, 19 were discharged without further aspiration.