Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41772228›Full record

SynthesisSurgical endoscopy2026

Endoscopic resection versus surgery for T1 rectal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of oncologic and safety outcomes.

Yeajin Moon, Youngki Hong, Hyun Jung Kim, Seun Ja Park, Hyo Seon Ryu, Jung-Myun Kwak, Seung Hun Lee, Jae Hyun Kim

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-AnalysisComparative Study
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Surgical endoscopy, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

8 authors.

Yeajin Moon *Department of Surgery, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea.
Youngki Hong *Department of Surgery, National Health Insurance Service Ilsan Hospital, Goyang, South Korea.
Hyun Jung KimCochrane Korea and Institute for Evidence-Based Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Seun Ja ParkDepartment of Internal Medicine, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea.
Hyo Seon RyuDepartment of Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Jung-Myun KwakDepartment of Surgery, Korea University Anam Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Seung Hun LeeDepartment of Surgery, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea. candoli8182@naver.com.
Jae Hyun KimDepartment of Internal Medicine, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, South Korea. kjh8517@daum.net.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4272-8003

Funding

National Cancer Center, Republic of Korea NCC-2112570-3
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSurgical resection (SR) has been recommended for T1 rectal cancer, but concerns about postoperative morbidity and impaired quality of life continue to pose a significant burden for patients. Endoscopic resection (ER) offers a minimally invasive alternative; however, its oncologic sufficiency compared to SR remains unclear. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the comparative effectiveness and safety of ER versus SR in patients with T1 rectal cancer.

methodsWe systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and KMBASE up to October 2024 for studies comparing ER and SR in patients with T1 rectal cancer. Thirty-one non-randomized observational studies involving 63,443 patients were included. Outcomes of interest were overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), recurrence, and adverse events. Risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool, and the certainty of evidence was evaluated with the GRADE framework.

resultsCompared with SR, ER was associated with a higher risk of death and tumor recurrence, along with a non-significant trend toward higher hazards for OS and DFS. It also carried an increased risk of delayed bleeding and perforation. However, ER demonstrated significantly fewer postoperative complications, including intra-abdominal leakage, wound infection, and minor adverse events. The certainty of evidence was rated as low to very low due to confounding, selection bias, and imprecision. While many patients favored curability and recurrence prevention, others valued reduced invasiveness and faster recovery.

conclusionIn patients with T1 rectal cancer, ER is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative complications compared to SR. However, current evidence does not support the superiority of ER in terms of long-term oncologic outcomes. ER may be considered a reasonable option in carefully selected patients-particularly older adults or those at high surgical risk-through shared decision-making that incorporates clinical factors and individual preferences.

Indexed as

Rectal NeoplasmsColorectal Surgical ProceduresDisease-Free SurvivalHumansNeoplasm Recurrence, LocalNeoplasm StagingPostoperative ComplicationsTreatment OutcomeEndoscopy, gastrointestinalRectal neoplasmsSurgical procedures, operativeTreatment outcome

Identifiers

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Registered trials

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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.