Background: Total mesorectal excision (TME) was described 20 years ago and is now being established as the therapeutic gold standard for middle and lower third rectal cancers in a number of countries worldwide.
Methods: The authors reviewed published data regarding TME since its first description in 1982. Emphasis was placed on basic principles, achievable recurrence rates, evidence for use of adjunctive strategies, and the potential of TME.
Results: Local recurrence rates following TME approximate 6.6% from published series, accounting for more than 5,000 patients. The available evidence for TME is largely composed of retrospective series, although benefits of TME compare favorably to established conventional controls. Recent studies have clarified the benefit of adjunctive radiotherapy with TME. There is considerable scope for development of TME within the minimal access setting, providing first principles are observed.
Conclusions: Despite initial controversy, TME is now a feasible, reproducible, adjunctive surgical therapy in the management of rectal cancer.