When do you use a TME?
Total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery is recommended for patients who have cancers in the middle and lower area of the rectum. It is now considered the gold standard procedure for removing tumors in the middle and lower areas of the rectum.
What is mesorectal envelope?
The mesorectum refers to a fatty connective tissue layer, measuring 2–3 cm in thickness, with associated vessels, lymphatics and lymph nodes, which surrounds the rectum and is enveloped by fascia.
What is mesorectal lymph nodes?
Mesorectal lymph nodes refers to lymph nodes that are present in the mesorectal fascia. Their assessment is important in the staging of colorectal tumors such as rectal cancer and anal cancer.
What is TME plane?
TME consists of the complete removal of the rectum, together with the surrounding mesorectum lymphovascular fatty tissue (mesorectum), by a precise, sharp dissection along the visceral pelvis fasciation (Holy plane – Heald introduced the term “holy plane” to indicate an adjustable anatomic dissection plan) to minimize …
What is anorectal ring?
The anorectal ring is a muscular structure at the junction of the anal canal and the rectum. It includes the puborectalis sling and upper portions of the internal and external sphincter (Fig. 2). Division of the anorectal ring results in incontinence.
What is a high anterior resection?
What is a high anterior resection? This operation aims to remove a segment of your bowel known as the sigmoid colon with or without the upper rectum including the blood supply and associated lymph glands.
What is removed in a TME?
Total mesorectal excision (TME) A TME is when the surgeon removes some of the fatty tissue around the rectum (mesorectum). The fatty tissue contains lymph nodes and blood vessels. This means all the lymph nodes near to the tumour are removed, which reduces the risk of the cancer coming back.