Minimally Invasive Surgery for Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer.

Total mesorectal excision (TME) can be safely performed through a minimally invasive approach by experienced surgeons and may offer patients benefit in certain short-term outcomes. Long-term oncologic outcomes and meta-analysis of the most recent randomized controlled trials may offer additional clarity regarding the role of laparoscopic TME and those patients for whom the approach is most appropriate. Until then, laparoscopic TME should be used judiciously. As the landscape of rectal cancer surgery evolves, the necessary constant needs to be multidisciplinary oversight of rectal cancer surgery performed by surgeons and surgical centers experienced in this critically important procedure.