Evidence map›Paper›PMID 32875417›Full record

SynthesisSurgical endoscopy2021

P338: summarizing measures of proficiency in transanal total mesorectal excision-a systematic review.

Alen Antoun, Johnny Chau, Nourah Alsharqawi, Pepa Kaneva, Liane S Feldman, Carmen L Mueller, Lawrence Lee

Abstract readSystematic Review
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Surgical endoscopy, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
0.5field-weighted citation impact, top 33% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed, 9 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Short-term outcomes of laparoscopic-assisted transanalWorld journal of gastrointestinal surgery · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
  3. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors at 1 institution in 1 country.

Alen AntounDepartment of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre and the Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, QC, D16-116 H3G 1A4, Canada.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2605-4299
Johnny ChauDepartment of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre and the Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, QC, D16-116 H3G 1A4, Canada.
Nourah AlsharqawiDepartment of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre and the Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, QC, D16-116 H3G 1A4, Canada.
Pepa KanevaDepartment of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre and the Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, QC, D16-116 H3G 1A4, Canada.
Liane S FeldmanDepartment of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre and the Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, QC, D16-116 H3G 1A4, Canada.
Carmen L MuellerDepartment of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre and the Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, QC, D16-116 H3G 1A4, Canada.
Lawrence LeeDepartment of Surgery, McGill University Health Centre and the Steinberg-Bernstein Centre for Minimally Invasive Surgery and Innovation, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Ave, Montreal, QC, D16-116 H3G 1A4, Canada. larry.lee@mcgill.ca.
McGill University Health Centre · CA

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionTransanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) is technically challenging even for experienced colorectal surgeons and there may be a higher risk of complications during learning. Determining when a surgeon is ready to safely perform this technique independently remains a matter of debate. Therefore, the objective of this study was to systematically summarize the available evidence regarding measures of proficiency in TaTME for rectal adenocarcinoma.

methodsA systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed Epub records, Biosis previews, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. All English and French language studies published between 2010 and 2018 that described proficiency metrics for TaTME were included. Study heterogeneity precluded meta-analysis, and therefore qualitative synthesis was performed. The primary outcomes were the methodology and measures used to define proficiency, and the number of cases needed to achieve proficiency.

resultsOf 994 citations, five studies met inclusion criteria. Of these, only two used objective measures to define proficiency. These studies evaluated patient outcomes and defined proficiency through cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis of the primary outcome(s): post-operative complications and TME quality. Two studies reported expert consensus to establish recommendations using a combination of electronic survey distributed to colorectal surgeons and consensus conferences with TaTME experts from 7 to 8 different countries. One study defined the learning phase as 16 months of TaTME practice, or the first 27 cases. Stated case volumes needed to achieve proficiency varied widely. Studies using objective outcome measures reported threshold volumes of 40 and 51 cases, respectively, while expert consensus studies recommended needing 6-30 procedures.

conclusionsSignificant heterogeneity exists regarding the determination of proficiency benchmarks for TaTME. Expert consensus documents recommend lower case numbers to obtain proficiency than those defined by objective measures, suggesting greater experience may be required than generally thought.

Indexed as

LaparoscopyProctectomyRectal NeoplasmsTransanal Endoscopic SurgeryHumansPostoperative ComplicationsRectumColorectal surgeryLearning curveProficiencySkill acquisitionSurgical educationTransanal total mesorectal excision

Identifiers

PMID32875417
OpenAlexW3082461778

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.