As leaders of rectal cancer surgery for men and women throughout the Greater Atlanta, GA area, Piedmont Colorectal Associates uses state-of-the-art technology and techniques based on each patient’s unique condition. When properly diagnosed, rectal cancer can be treated effectively with rectal cancer surgery. At Piedmont Colorectal Associates, our proctologists can diagnose and treat patients throughout Atlanta, GA suffering from rectal cancer.

Rectal Cancer Surgery Options

A number of different techniques can be used to perform rectal cancer surgery. Piedmont Colorectal Associates specialize in minimally invasive techniques including robotic surgery and laparoscopy that result in a shorter recovery time and less pain.

Occasionally a transanal local excision can be performed if the rectal cancer is caught very early and can be removed through the anus and without an incision in the abdomen. Piedmont Colorectal Associates have performed several transanal local excision procedures for patients in Atlanta.

Piedmont Colorectal Associates are recognized leaders in the area of colorectal health in Atlanta, GA. Find out more about our team of physicians:

da Vinci® Surgery
(Rectal Cancer Surgery/Resection)

Finding out you have cancer may be one of the hardest things you’ve faced. That’s why it’s important to learn all of your options before choosing the best path forward.

Your doctor may suggest rectal surgery which is called low anterior resection or LAR. If LAR is suggested, it can be done with open surgery through a large incision (cut) or minimally invasive surgery through a few small incisions. Minimally invasive surgery can be done using traditional laparoscopy or da Vinci Surgery.

Why da Vinci Surgery?

The da Vinci System is a robotic-assisted surgical device that your surgeon is 100% in control of at all times. The da Vinci System gives surgeons a 3D HD view inside your body, tiny wristed instruments that bend and rotate far greater than the human hand, and enhanced vision, precision and control.

da Vinci Low Anterior Resection offers the following potential benefits compared to open surgery:

  • Less blood loss1,2
  • Less pain1,3
  • Shorter hospital stay1,4
  • Small incisions for minimal scarring

da Vinci Low Anterior Resection offers the following potential benefits compared to traditional laparoscopy:

  • Improved cancer margins5,6
  • Less chance of surgeon switching to open surgery5,7,8,9
  • Shorter hospital stay1,5,7
  • Quicker return to a soft diet1,7

The da Vinci System has brought minimally invasive surgery to more than 3 million patients worldwide. da Vinci technology – changing the experience of surgery for people around the world.

Risks and Considerations Related to Bowel Resection and Other Colorectal Procedures (removal of all/part of the intestine): leaking and/or narrowing at the spot where two sections of bowel were reconnected, colorectal or anal dysfunction (cannot empty bowel, frequent bowel movements, leakage or constipation).

  1. Kang J, Yoon KJ, Min BS, Hur H, Baik SH, Kim NK, Lee KY. The impact of robotic surgery for mid and low rectal cancer: A case-matched analysis of 3-arm comparison – open, laparoscopic, and robotic surgery. Ann Surg. 2013 Jan; 257(1):95-101.
  2. deSouza AL, Prasad LM, Ricci J, Park JJ, Marecik SJ, Zimmern A, Blumetti J, Abcarian H. A comparison of open and robotic total mesorectal excision for rectal adenocarcinoma. Dis Colon Rectum. 2011 Mar;54(3):275-82.
  3. Park JS, Choi GS, Lim KH, Jang YS, Jun SH. S052: a comparison of robot-assisted, laparoscopic, and open surgery in the treatment of rectal cancer. Surg Endosc. 2011 Jan;25(1):240-8. Epub 2010 Jun 15.
  4. Ghezzi, TL, Luca, F, Valvo, M, Corleta OC, Zuccaro, M, Cenciarelli, S, Biffi, R. Robotic versus open total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: Comparative study of short and long-term outcomes.”European Journal of Surgical Oncology. 2014 10.1016/j.ejso.2014.02.235
  5. D’Annibale A, Pernazza G, Monsellato I, Pende V, Lucandri G, Mazzocchi P, Alfano G. Total mesorectal excision: a comparison of oncological and functional outcomes betweenrobotic and laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. Surg Endosc. 2013 Jun;27(6):1887-95.
  6. Xiong B, Ma L, Zhang C, Cheng Y. Robotic versus laparoscopic total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: a meta-analysis. Journal of Surgical Research 2014; 188(2): 404-414.
  7. Baik SH, Kwon HY, Kim JS, Hur H, Sohn SK, Cho CH, Kim H. Robotic versus laparoscopic low anterior resection of rectal cancer: short-term outcome of a prospective comparative study. Ann Surg Oncol. 2009 Jun;16(6):1480-7. Epub 2009 Mar 17.
  8. Speicher PJ, Englum BR, Ganapathi AM, Nussbaum DP, Mantyh CR, Migaly J. Robotic Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer: A National Perspective on Short-term Oncologic Outcomes. Ann Surg. 2014 Nov 17. [Epub ahead of print] Liao G, Zhao Z, Lin S, Li R, Yuan Y1, Du S, Chen J, Deng H. Robotic-assisted versus laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a meta-analysis of four randomized controlled trials. World J Surg Oncol. 2014 Apr 26;12:122.

PN 1002202 Rev C 10/2016

Important Safety Information

Serious complications may occur in any surgery, including da Vinci® Surgery, up to and including death. Individual surgical results may vary. Patients should talk to their doctor to decide if da Vinci Surgery is right for them. Patients and doctors should review all available information on non-surgical and surgical options in order to make an informed decision.

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Website Disclaimer

Website Disclaimer for intuitivesurgical.com and davincisurgery.com

This website does not provide medical advice. If you think you have a medical emergency, call your doctor or 911 immediately.

The materials on this website are for general educational information only. Information you read on this website cannot replace the relationship that you have with your healthcare professional. Intuitive Surgical does not practice medicine or provide medical services or advice and the information on this website should not be considered medical advice. You should always talk to your healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment. Health information changes quickly. Therefore, it is always best to consult with your healthcare provider.

If you have questions about the da Vinci® Surgical System or about surgical procedures conducted with the da Vinci Surgical System, consult a surgeon that has experience with the da Vinci Surgical System. A list of surgeons that have experience with the da Vinci Surgical System can be found in the Surgeon Locator.