Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision for Rectal Cancer on Anal Physiology + Fecal Incontinence

August 15, 2025 updated by: Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

The Short Term Implications of Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TaTME) for Rectal Cancer on Anal Physiology and Fecal Incontinence

Low Anterior Resection (LAR) surgery can be done using various techniques. The traditional technique for performing the surgery is through one or multiple incision(s) in the muscular wall of the abdomen. This will allow the surgeon to gain access to inside the belly (Abdominal cavity). The surgeon will start from above and go down until reaching the rectum located low in the pelvis. The surgeon will then cut out the rectum along with some of the tissue surrounding it and reconnect the bowel.

An alternative new approach to perform Low Anterior Resection is called the Trans-anal approach. In this technique, a tube containing special surgical tools is introduced through the anus (back passage), while the patient is asleep. These tools are used to free the rectum up from its surroundings so that it can be removed.

Taking out the rectum via the opening of the anus (Trans-anal) is a relatively new surgical approach. This new technique enables the surgeon to better see deep in the pelvis which makes it easier to remove the rectum and its surrounding outer tissues while protecting other important nerves and organs located in the pelvis. However, it also involves inserting a tube through the opening of the anus to perform the rectal dissection. The alternative traditional way of doing the operation does not involve inserting such a tube because the access to the pelvis and rectum is gained from above through incision(s) in the abdominal wall.

The anal sphincter is the medical name for the muscle layers surrounding the opening of the anus. The anal sphincter functions as a seal that can be opened to discharge body waste and allow the passage of stool. A damage to the anal sphincter can result in inability to fully control bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly. Because the Trans-anal approach involves inserting a tube through the opening of the anus for the duration of the surgery, this can lead to a certain degree of stretch and damage to the anal sphincter muscles.

The main aim of this study is to compare the effect of the these two possible approaches to perform "Low Anterior Resection" operation on the muscles of the anal sphincter and whether they are associated with stool seepage from the anus after the operation.

Whether the patient is receiving the traditional or trans-anal approach is not related to the subject's participation in the study and is decided by the treating surgeon based on medical and surgical reasoning.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

Primary Objective To evaluate effect of TaTME on anal sphincter via anorectal functional studies and anorectal ultrasound administered post- and preoperatively.

Secondary Objective(s) To evaluate the effect of TaTME on fecal incontinence, quality of life, and LARS utilizing validated questionnaires administered to patients preoperatively and during postoperative follow-up.

Study Design This is a prospective two-arm cohort study. The study will include patients already undergoing the standard-of-care, low anterior resection (LAR) for middle to low rectal cancers. Low anterior resection of the rectum entails a sharp dissection circumferentially around the mesorectum in an avascular plane between the visceral and parietal layers of the endopelvic fascia in what is known as Total Mesorectal Excision (TME). This dissection can be achieved transanally starting down in the pelvis and going up in what is known as Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision- (TaTME). It can also be done via an up-to-down approach beginning high in the abdomen and going low in the pelvis to achieve dissection around the mesorectum. Access in the latter is achieved via laparoscopic or open abdominal incisions with minimal anal sphincter dilation. In addition, the level of coloanal anastomosis performed is potentially higher from the anal sphincter in comparison to TaTME. TaTME on the other hand, involves introducing a special port (gelpoint path) transanally to perform the TME dissection. In order to better evaluate the effect of TaTME on anal sphincter, it is quintessential to include a control group with minimal anal sphincter manipulation, thus the conventional abdominal (open or laparoscopic) TME group will serve as a control.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
39

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.
  • Name: Tracy Hull, MD
  • Phone Number: 216-445-6063
  • Email: hullt@ccf.org

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Ohio
      • Cleveland, Ohio, United States, 44195
        • Cleveland Clinic, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Men, women and members of all races and ethnic groups are eligible for this trial. Patients will be identified prospectively by the treating Co-Investigator surgeon according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The outpatient clinic schedule will be regularly screened ahead of time to identify potential candidates that fit the enrollment criteria.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Subjects must have histologically confirmed Rectal Adenocarcinoma.
  • Subjects must have Rectal Adenocarcinoma located up to 10 cm from the anal verge measured by preoperative MRI, proctoscopy, or digital rectal examination.
  • Subjects must have treated with Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) or abdominal transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TME) resections.
  • Subjects must be Patients treated with curative intention.
  • Subjects must have the ability to understand and the willingness to sign a written informed consent document.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Specific contraindications to laparoscopy.
  • Intestinal obstruction or perforation.
  • Histology other than adenocarcinoma.
  • Subjects with rectal cancer arising in the background of inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Subjects treated through local excision (ie, endoscopic, anorectal, or TEM approach).
  • Subjects with synchronous metastases, except those with resectability criteria for the rectum.
  • Subjects requiring a multivisceral resection or an abdominoperineal resection.
  • Subjects converted to open technique.
  • Subjects with history of fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence (FI) will be defined based on Rome IV Criteria for Colorectal Disorders 31 as the uncontrolled passage of solid or liquid stool, occurring at least two times in a 4-week period.

Very low rectal cancers can cause a feeling of tenesmus associated with mucus leakage. As a result, patients will be asked if they had a bowel incontinence problem that dates back to a year ago (i.e. prior to the manifestation of current rectal cancer symptoms).

  • Subjects with ultra-low rectal cancer where low anterior resection is converted to abdominoperineal resection intraoperatively due to sphincter involvement.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Cohort
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort

Group / Cohort

A group or subgroup of participants in an observational study that is assessed for biomedical or health outcomes.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
TaTME
Trans-anal Total Mesorectal Excision (TaTME) is the visualization and dissection of the rectum located deep in the pelvis. In it, a trans-anal port is inserted for the duration of the surgery. Multiple surgical tools are then introduced through the port and the rectum is resected from down-to-up under direct visualization.
Procedure: TaTME
Low anterior resection of the rectum entails a sharp dissection circumferentially around the mesorectum in an avascular plane between the visceral and parietal layers of the endopelvic fascia in what is known as Total Mesorectal Excision. This dissection can be achieved transanally starting down in the pelvis and going up in what is known as Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision
Other Names:
  • Trans-anal Total Mesorectal Excision
abdominal TME
Total Mesorectal Excision involves resecting the rectum along with its surrounding Mesorectal plane. If the anal sphincter is spared, this surgery is named Low Anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer. Traditionally, TME dissection in LAR is performed through open or laparoscopic incisions(s) made in the abdominal wall. Mobilization of the splenic flexure along with sigmoid dissection follows. Lastly, the rectum is dissected in accordance with TME principles from above. This "up-to-down" approach is known as abdominal TME.
Procedure: TME
Low anterior resection of the rectum entails a sharp dissection circumferentially around the mesorectum in an avascular plane between the visceral and parietal layers of the endopelvic fascia in what is known as Total Mesorectal Excision. This surgery can also be done via an up-to-down approach beginning high in the abdomen and going low in the pelvis to achieve dissection around the mesorectum.
Other Names:
  • Total Mesorectal Excision

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
average change in anal resting pressure
Time Frame: Up to 6 months post-operation
anal resting pressure will be estimated by taking measurements prior to operation and at 3-6 months post-operation. The mean change along with its 95% confidence interval will be reported for both groups
Up to 6 months post-operation
maximum squeeze pressure
Time Frame: Up to 6 months post-operation
maximum squeeze pressure will be estimated by taking measurements prior to operation and at 3-6 months post-operation. The mean change along with its 95% confidence interval will be reported for both groups
Up to 6 months post-operation
Average intra-balloon pressure
Time Frame: Up to 6 months post-operation
Average intra-balloon pressure will be estimated by taking measurements prior to operation and at 3-6 months post-operation. The mean change along with its 95% confidence interval will be reported for both groups
Up to 6 months post-operation

Secondary Outcome Measures

Secondary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, a planned outcome measure that is not as important as the primary outcome measure for evaluating the effect of an intervention but is still of interest. Most clinical studies have more than one secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Fecal Incontinence Severity Index Score (FISI)
Time Frame: From before operation up to 12 weeks after operation
Self-Reported, 4-question survey describing frequency of incontinence
From before operation up to 12 weeks after operation
Change in Cleveland Clinic Florida Fecal Incontinence (Wexner) score (CCF-FI)
Time Frame: From before operation up to 12 weeks after operation
Self-Reported, 5-question survey scored 0-4 were higher scores indicate greater incontinence
From before operation up to 12 weeks after operation
Cleveland Clinic Global Quality of Life score (CGQL)
Time Frame: From before operation up to 12 weeks after operation
Self-Reported, 4-question survey scored 1-10 where higher scores indicate greater quality of life
From before operation up to 12 weeks after operation
Low Anterior Resection Syndrome score (LARS)
Time Frame: From before operation up to 12 weeks after operation
Self-Reported, 5-question survey with total scores ranging from 0-42 where higher scores indicating less bowel function
From before operation up to 12 weeks after operation

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Tracy Hull, MD, Cleveland Clinic, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
September 25, 2017

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
August 1, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
August 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
September 12, 2017

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
September 12, 2017

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
September 14, 2017

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
August 17, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
August 15, 2025

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
August 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • CASE6217

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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