TY - JOUR
T1 - Mapping the rectum
T2 - Spatial analysis of transanal endoscopic microsurgical outcomes using GIS technology
AU - Ganai, Sabha
AU - Garb, Jane L.
AU - Kanumuri, Prathima
AU - Rao, Roshni S.
AU - Alexander, Albert I.
AU - Wait, Richard B.
PY - 2006/1/1
Y1 - 2006/1/1
N2 - Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a technically challenging procedure hindered by rectal anatomic constraints. To study the relationship of lesion position with performance of TEM, a novel approach of spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was developed. A retrospective review was conducted on 144 consecutive TEMs, analyzing clinical, pathologic, and positional characteristics. Two- and three-dimensional maps of rectal topology were developed. GIS was used for spatial analysis, accounting for regional position and clustering of lesions. Lesions were located at a mean distance of 9.3 ± 4.9 (SD) cm from the dentate line, with an average size of 3.1 ± 1.4 cm. Proximal regions were associated with prolonged operative time. Regions between the rectosigmoid junction and the peritoneal reflection were associated with peritoneal breach. In spatial regression analysis, regional characteristics that were significantly associated with operative time included distance, presence of cancers, and positive margins; peritoneal breach was significantly associated with lesion size and location; conversions were associated with distance (P < 0.05). Specific knowledge of lesion size and location in the context of anatomic relationships is important for optimizing operative intervention. GIS provides a valuable tool in organizing spatial information and can be extended into clinical research topics involving the distinction of anatomic relationships.
AB - Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a technically challenging procedure hindered by rectal anatomic constraints. To study the relationship of lesion position with performance of TEM, a novel approach of spatial analysis using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was developed. A retrospective review was conducted on 144 consecutive TEMs, analyzing clinical, pathologic, and positional characteristics. Two- and three-dimensional maps of rectal topology were developed. GIS was used for spatial analysis, accounting for regional position and clustering of lesions. Lesions were located at a mean distance of 9.3 ± 4.9 (SD) cm from the dentate line, with an average size of 3.1 ± 1.4 cm. Proximal regions were associated with prolonged operative time. Regions between the rectosigmoid junction and the peritoneal reflection were associated with peritoneal breach. In spatial regression analysis, regional characteristics that were significantly associated with operative time included distance, presence of cancers, and positive margins; peritoneal breach was significantly associated with lesion size and location; conversions were associated with distance (P < 0.05). Specific knowledge of lesion size and location in the context of anatomic relationships is important for optimizing operative intervention. GIS provides a valuable tool in organizing spatial information and can be extended into clinical research topics involving the distinction of anatomic relationships.
KW - Geographic information systems
KW - Health geographics
KW - Rectal anatomy
KW - Rectal neoplasm
KW - Transanal endoscopic microsurgery
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=29244444216&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=29244444216&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.gassur.2005.08.030
DO - 10.1016/j.gassur.2005.08.030
M3 - Article
C2 - 16368487
AN - SCOPUS:29244444216
SN - 1091-255X
VL - 10
SP - 22
EP - 31
JO - Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
JF - Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery
IS - 1
ER -