We thank Gachabayov et al for their thoughts and appreciation of our recently published International Expert Consensus Guidance on TaTME [1], and the opportunity to clarify any misunderstandings regarding its purpose and methodology. Firstly, the panellists consisted of 56 internationally known and respected surgeons, experienced in managing rectal cancer not only by TaTME but also by the abdominal approaches. They have performed over 50 TaTME cases each, taught on cadaveric courses, and published literature on the technique. [1]TaTME Guidance Group representing the ESCP (European Society of Coloproctology), in collaboration with the ASCRS (American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons), ACPGBI (Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland), ECCO (European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation), EAES (European Association of Endoscopic Surgeons), ESSO (European Society of Surgical Oncology), CSCRS (Canadian Society of Colorectal Surgery), CNSCRS (Chinese Society of Colorectal Surgery), CSLES (Chinese Society of Laparo-Endoscopic Surgery), CSSANZ (Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand), JSES (Japanese Society of Endoscopic Surgery), SACP (Argentinian Society of Coloproctology), SAGES (Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons), SBCP (Brazilian Society of Coloproctology), Swiss-MIS (Swiss Association for Minimally Invasive Surgery). International expert consensus guidance on indications, implementation and quality measures for transanal total mesorectal excision. Colorectal Dis. 2020 Jul;22(7):749-755. doi: 10.1111/codi.15147. Epub 2020 Jul 13. PMID: 32441803.