The new surgical technique was presented by a course organized by Humanitas University. It is called “TAMIS” and is the new methodology with which polyps and colorectal tumors are removed. It is a form of minimally invasive transanal surgery, defined by the English acronic Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery: a highly specialized technique to remove polyps and some colorectal tumors with a new approach and less annoying for patients. But what exactly is it? We talked about it with Professor Antonino Spinelli, responsible for Colon and Rectum Surgery in Humanitas.

What are the novelties introduced by TAMIS?

TAMIS was introduced in 2010 and since then has progressively spread throughout the world. This technique offers the possibility of a safe treatment from the point of view of the result on the removal of tumors located in the rectum, the last tract of the intestine before the anus, while at the same time avoiding to the patient the greatest discomforts and risks of a classic surgical intervention. The latter, in fact, more invasive, requires access from the outside with surgical cut and subsequent removal of the intestinal tract affected by the tumor.

“The TAMIS technique is a procedure whose access to the site of surgery is through natural orifices (in this case the anus), without the need for surgical incisions – explains Professor Antonino Spinelli, head of Surgery of the Colon and Rectum in Humanitas -. It also allows a significant saving of organ, because it removes only damaged tissues, leaving the rest of the intestine intact. The patient does not suffer the cutting and removal of a part of the rectum, a complex operation which increases the risk of complications, as well as the possibility of having to make an intestinal deviation with an external orifice, temporary or permanent, which brings with it an important impact on the quality of life of the patient.

Doctors “in class” in Humanitas

Accompanied by Dr. Roel Hompes, of the Department of Colorectal Surgery at the Academic Medical Center Amsterdam, and Professor Roberto Persiani, head of UOS Mini-Invasive Oncology Surgery, Catholic University Sacred Heart of Rome, Professor Spinelli was the director of the course on the TAMIS technique held at Humanitas.

The aim of the course was to illustrate this new surgical technique for polyps and colorectal tumors, providing the basic principles and technical skills to approach this new procedure. The target group was several surgeons interested in the field of minimally invasive surgery and willing to acquire practice with the TAMIS technique. Alongside an in-depth examination of topics such as the history of this new procedure, how to set up its execution (instrumentation, techniques, suturing), the role for benign lesions and its use for the treatment of early rectum tumors, space was also given to more practical aspects, with the use of videos and biological models on which the course participants were able to practice.