Fig. 9. Practical technical tips in the rainbow method. (A) Gentle counter-traction of the seminal vesicle in the 2 o'clock direction and the NVB allows entrance into the anterolateral portion of the lower rectum, which is the gate to the deep pelvic floor (white dotted line). (B) Deep-anterior dissection followed by deep-posterior dissection, and then, lateral attachment can yield complete TME without tearing and nerve damage. (C) Schematic picture showing the gate to the pelvic floor after deep anterolateral dissection. (D) Schematic picture showing the operation field after deep anterolateral and deep posterolateral dissection. TME, total meso-rectal excision.
