TEM Surgery
Author/s: Dr. Josep M Montané Sorigué
What does TEM mean?
TEM stands for transanal endoscopic microsurgery. TEM is a minimally invasive technique which consists in the excision of tumours that meet the following criteria:
- Tumours involving only the rectal mucosa.
- Tumours that extent at most up to half of the rectal lumen circumference.
- Tumours that are at a maximum distance of 15 cm from the anal margin.
Professor Buess from the University of Tubinghen was the first to apply this technique which consisted in introducing a catheter through the anus resecting the lesion through this same catheter.
What are the differences between TEM and a colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy is a diagnostic and therapeutic tool used mainly to diagnose inflammatory or neoformative diseases of the colon by means of a biopsy. It can also be applied therapeutically for resection of lesions, mainly polypoid lesions.
What preparation is required to undergo TEM?
The prep is that as for a colonoscopy.
What are the complications of TEM?
Non-significant hospital complications: 4%
Surgical complications, bleeding, suture dehiscence: 8%
How long will I be in the hospital?
Normally, if there are no complications, the hospital stay lasts no more than two to three days.
What post-operative caret must I follow after the operation?
The post-operative care is the same as for conventional surgery of the rectum.