Background~The TME technique for rectal cancer surgery was introduced in our department in summer 1995. TME is known to reduce the rate of local recurrences. However, its influence on long-term survival in unclear.~All patients with rectal cancer from 1993 to 2001 are reviewed. The patients charts are reviewed and the following main characteristics are retrieved: age, gender, time of operation, operation technique, tumor stage, tumor localisation, tumor size, neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment, complications, follow-up with respect to the appearance of local recurrences and distant metastases.~Comparison of two groups of patients. Group 1: patients operated before summer 1995, that is before the introduction of TME. Group 2: patients operated after summer 1995, that is after the introduction of TME.~Objective~Study the influence of a new operation method (TME) on outcome (local recurrence, survival).~Methods~All patients with rectal cancer from 1993 to 2001 are reviewed. The patients charts are reviewed and the following main characteristics are retrieved: age, gender, time of operation, operation technique, tumor stage, tumor localisation, tumor size, neoadjuvant or adjuvant treatment, complications, follow-up with respect to the appearance of local recurrences and distant metastases.~Comparison of two groups of patients. Group 1: patients operated before summer 1995, that is before the introduction of TME. Group 2: patients operated after summer 1995, that is after the introduction of TME.
Total mesorectal excision (TME) is a rather new operation technique in the treatment of rectal cancer. It is known to reduce the rate of local recurrences. However, the influence on long-term survival is unclear.