Transsphincteric tumor resection in case of a pararectal solitary fibrous tumor

•We reinvented an “old” surgical approach.•We analyzed data for treatmant of solitary fibrous tumors.•We showed feasibility of transsphincteric surgery.

Transsphincteric resection of rectal tumors was first described about 120 years ago. Nowadays, this approach faded into obscurity due to standardized guidelines and practice in surgical oncology including lymphadenectomy, mesorectal excision and radical dissection of veins. However, transsphincteric resection seems reasonable in some cases, especially if an abdominal approach can be avoided.In the following, we will present and describe the technique of the transsphincteric approach with its variations in rectal surgery in the case of a rare pararectal tumor.