Anorectal function after partial intersphincteric resection in ultra‐low rectal cancer

Aim To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of intersphincteric resection (ISR), in terms of postoperative anorectal function, for ultra‐low rectal cancer in mainland China. Method A total of 43 patients who consecutively underwent curative partial ISR for ultra‐low rectal cancer between 2006 and 2009 were enrolled in the study. Defaecatory function was assessed, using detailed questionnaires, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. The Wexner score was used to assess faecal continence, and anal manometry studies were performed to analyse anal sphincter function. Results Overall defaecatory function was assessed as being satisfactory in 41 of 43 patients. Twelve months after surgery, the mean Wexner score was 4.0 ± 3.6. Anal manometry studies showed a significant change at 3 months and further, gradual, improvement over the following year. During the postoperative period, maximum squeeze pressure reached a normal value of 174.1 ± 19.5 mmHg (P = 0.041) by 6 months and resting pressure was 42.4 ± 5.6 mmHg by 12 months, which was close to the preoperative level (P = 0.038). Conclusion Because of the satisfactory recovery of defaecatory function and good oncological results, partial ISR may be recommended as an effective sphincter‐preserving operation for patients with ultra‐low rectal cancer.     

Rectal resection with low anastomosis: functional outcome

Objective Function after anterior, low anterior and intersphincteric resection for rectal cancer was studied. Method Of 139 patients 122 responded to a standardized questionnaire (Cleveland Clinic Continence Score) 108 ± 46 weeks postoperatively and 70 underwent anorectal manometry at 26 ± 15 weeks. Results The postoperative continence score was dependent on the procedure (anterior resection 4.1 ± 4.6, low anterior resection 6.9 ± 5.6, intersphincteric resection 11.5 ± 5.2; P < 0.0001). It was poorer after radiochemotherapy (9.0 vs. 5.7; P = 0.030), but after colonic pouch reconstruction there was no significant difference between low anterior resection (5.6 vs. 7.3) and intersphincteric resection (10.0 vs. 12.5). Mean and maximal resting pressures were significantly reduced after intersphincteric resection (24 ± 9 and 40 ± 13 mmHg, respectively, P < 0.001) and further reduced by radiochemotherapy. Squeeze pressure was unaffected by the operative procedures and radiochemotherapy. Maximum tolerable volume and rectal compliance were reduced, after both low anterior and intersphincteric resection. Statistical correlation between continence score and maximal resting pressure (P = 0.014), mean resting pressure (P = 0.002), urge volume (P = 0.037), and neorectal compliance (P = 0.0018) reached significance. Satisfaction with the functional outcome was expressed by 71% of patients. Conclusion After rectal resection the degree of impaired continence depended on the operative procedure and the form of reestablishment of intestinal continuity. Radiochemotherapy affected the outcome adversely. Despite reduced function, overall patient satisfaction was high.     

Totally robotic low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision and splenic flexure mobilization

Some limitations of conventional laparoscopy have been overcome by the enhanced dexterity of the robotic da Vinci system, and its use in gastrointestinal procedures is evolving. However, difficulties accessing multiple quadrants of the abdomen with the first robotic system led to a rather slow introduction of the da Vinci into the field of abdominal surgery compared with its success with urologic and cardiac procedures. The new da Vinci S HD system offers improved range of motion that allows for easier access to a wider surgical field. The authors developed a new “one-step” setup to perform a low anterior resection with total mesorectal excision and splenic flexure mobilization for rectal cancer using a completely robotic approach. This technical report describes all the major aspects for successful performance of this complex minimally invasive procedure.     

Anorectal dysfunction following low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma: a comparison between handsewn and stapled anastomosis

Sphincter-saving resection for rectal carcinoma is frequently accompanied by anorectal dysfunction (increased stool frequency and varying degrees of faecal incontinence). Although numerous reports regarding this dysfunction have been published, the exact mechanism is still controversial. The purpose of the present study was to compare the functional results of low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal carcinoma following handsewn and stapled anastomosis. The patients with rectal carcinoma were divided into two groups: LAR with handsewn anastomosis (HS) ( n  = 15), and LAR with stapled EEA (U.S. Surgical Corporation) anastomosis (EEA) ( n  = 16; four with 28 mm stapler, 12 with 31 mm stapler). Sixteen patients with carcinoma of sigmoid colon who received high anterior resection (HAR) were taken as the control group. Anorectal functional study was performed preoperatively and post-operatively at 1 week and another after 6 months, whereas routine clinical assessment was carried out preoperatively and 6 months post-operatively. The post-operative maximal resting pressure was significantly reduced in both HS and EEA groups, while a tendency to recovery was observed in the HS and 28 mm stapler group 6 months later. A significant decrease in rectal capacity was noted in the EEA group. The return of rectoanal inhibitory reflex was observed in 67% of the HS group and 37.5% of the EEA group. Although clinically increased stool frequency was experienced in both HS and EEA groups, continence was significantly worse in the EEA group. LAR for rectal carcinoma results in impaired anorectal function, which might present clinically with increased stool frequency and minor faecal soiling. The former may be due partially to reduced neorectal capacity, while the latter may be due to internal anal sphincter dysfunction, possibly because of damage to innervation.     

直肠脱出技术在腹腔镜低位直肠前切除术中的应用

目的探讨直肠脱出技术在腹腔镜低位直肠前切除术中应用可行性与治疗效果。方法回顾性分析2005年10月至2007年3月上海微创外科临床医学中心为9例低位直肠肿瘤病人运用直肠脱出技术行腹腔镜低位直肠前切除术的临床资料，研究其手术操作、术后恢复、肿瘤根治性效果及随访结果。结果男6例，女3例，平均年龄58（40～75）岁。腺瘤2例，Ⅰ期病例6例，Ⅱ期1例。所有病例无术中严重并发症和手术死亡，无中转开腹手术；平均手术时间195（150～232）min、平均术中出血55（25～100）ml，病人术后排气时间、留置导尿管时间和术后住院天数分别为2（1～4）d，7（5—10）d和11（7～20）d。清扫淋巴结总数12（9～20）枚，肿瘤距下切缘距离为1．6（1．0～3．8）cm。无严重术后并发症。随访12（4—21）个月，无局部复发和远处转移，排便功能恢复较满意。结论直肠脱出技术运用于腹腔镜低位直肠前切除术安全有效，符合肿瘤根治原则，且能获得较满意的排便功能恢复。     

Anorectal function after low anterior resection

Most patients with rectal carcinoma can now be treated with sphincter-sparing procedures. The quality of life after sphincter-sparing procedures is better than after abdominoperineal excision. However, morphology and physiology of the neorectum/sphincter complex are challenged and enthusians towards restorative surgery in rectal cancer was tempered by concerns over functional deficits: after low anterior resection a substantial portion of patients experience impaired anorectal function, in particular fecal leakage and urgency of defecation and report disturbed sexual function. The aim of our work was to investigate functional outcome and anorectal physiologic function as measured by manometry after the three most commonly used reconstructions of intestinal continuity: anterior rectal resection, low anterior rectal, and intersphincteric rectal resection.     

肠系膜下动脉低位结扎及根部淋巴结廓清在腹腔镜低位前切除手术中的临床意义

目的:探讨腹腔镜低位前切除(low anterior resection,LAR)术中行肠系膜下动脉(inferior mesenteric artery,IMA)低位结扎及根部淋巴结廓清的临床意义。方法:2011年10月至2013年10月为114例直肠癌患者行腹腔镜LAR,随机分为对照组(n=55)与观察组(n=59)。观察组采用IMA低位结扎及根部淋巴结廓清;对照组采用IMA高位结扎术及根部淋巴结廓清。对比分析手术时间、淋巴结清扫数量、吻合口漏发生率及术后首次通气时间。结果:手术时间、淋巴结清扫数量、吻合口漏发生率两组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);术后首次通气时间观察组少于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论:LAR术中行IMA低位结扎及根部淋巴结廓清优于IMA高位结扎术及根部淋巴结廓清,具有推广应用的价值。     

低位直肠腺癌保肛手术的临床病理学分析

目的 探讨低位直肠腺癌全直肠切除结肠肛门吻合术后远端肠壁内肿瘤扩散的病理改变。方法 将55例术后患者的标本进行组织学分析。结果 局部复发的因素是:①切缘肿瘤残留;②肿瘤浸润直肠的深度;③淋巴结转移有关。结论直肠肿瘤远侧端切除的长度与局部复发密切相关。     

直肠癌前切除术后早期吻合口出血的临床分析

目的:探讨直肠癌前切除术后早期吻合口出血的危险因素及处理方法。方法:回顾分析2011年1月至2016年6月512例行直肠癌根治术患者的临床资料。结果:术后16例早期发生严重吻合口出血,发生率3.13%,多因素分析显示,肿瘤下缘距肛门的距离、男性是吻合口出血的独立危险因素。16例出血患者均行结肠镜检查并止血,15例止血成功,1例因内镜下止血失败行外科手术治疗,内镜下止血成功率为93.75%(15/16)。结论:吻合口位置、男性是吻合口出血的危险因素。对于吻合口位置较低的男性患者,尤其要警惕,需从手术技巧、器械使用及术后检查监测等方面全面注意,防范其发生,一旦出现明显的出血,内镜可作为处理吻合口出血的第一选择。     

An improved technique for low anterior resection using a PDS endoloop

We describe herein the results of performing a new technique of low anterior resection of the rectum using a PDS endoloop, on ten patients with rectal cancer. This technique involves first preparing the rectosigmoid colon with an anvil as in the conventional low anterior resection; then, after the stapler is inserted transanally, two endoloops are slid over the colon and rectum. The rectum is ligated by pushing the knot of the endoloop and a second knot is applied 2 cm proximal to the first. Finally, the rectum is cut and the stapler is closed and fired to make a circular end-to-end anastomosis. The level of the anastomosis ranged from 2.5 to 6 cm with a mean of 4.7 cm in the ten patients, only one of whom developed a minor anastomotic leakage postoperatively. Moreover, no patient has developed local recurrence or distant metastasis to date. In summary, this technique offers certain advantages that allow the operation to be done with more skill and safety in a narrow pelvis.     

低位直肠癌经肛内外括约肌间切除术后肛肠动力学研究

目的 检测3种不同治疗方法下低位直肠癌经肛内外括约肌间切除术(ISR)患者术后肛肠动力学指标,观察不同治疗方法对排便功能的影响.方法将113例低位直肠癌ISR患者分为3组,分别为新辅助化疗联合腹腔镜直肠前切除ISR组(A组,n=32):腹腔镜直肠前切除ISR组(B组,n=43):开腹直肠前切除ISR组(C组,n=38),采用肛肠压力监测仪分别检测3组术前、术后3、6、9、12个月肛管动力学、结肠末端动力学、肛管结肠末端动力学相关指标,观察并对比其变化趋势.结果 肛管静息压A、B、C组术后3个月[(33.53±6.58)、(24.69 ±5.62)、(14.86±5.54) mm Hg(1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa)]均分别低于术前[(49.37±14.32)、(47.32±7.87)、(46.50±10.02) mm Hg] (P ＜0.05),且A组[(33.53±6.58) mm Hg]比同期B、C组[(24.69±5.62)、(14.86±5.54) mm Hg]降低幅度小(P＜0.05).3组直肠肛管抑制反射阳性率于术后3个月均降低(P＜0.05),且A组比同期B、C组高(P＜0.05).球囊排出试验时间、初始排便容量阈值及最大耐受容量A组均较B组提前3个月恢复至术前水平(P＜0.05),较C组提前6个月恢复至术前水平(P＜0.05).结论新辅助化疗联合腹腔镜直肠前切除对排便动力学影响小.     

直肠癌前切除、结肠“J”型储袋对术后排便功能的影响

目的为探讨直肠癌行低位前切除术后应用结肠“J”型储袋行直肠或肛管吻合能否改善患者的排便功能。方法对2000年1月至2001年1月间连续行低位前切除术的72例中、下段直肠癌患者行回顾性分析。根据吻合方式分为两组：“J”型储袋组,共33例;直接吻合组,共37例。分别于术后1、3、6及12个月,对手术并发症及排便功能行比较性研究。结果发现两组均无手术死亡及术后出血病例。直吻组发生吻合口瘘2例;储袋组及直肠组术后吻合口狭窄分别为2例及1例;局部复发者各为3例;肝转移分别为2例及3例。“J”型储袋组较直接吻合组患者术后6个月及12个月之日排便次数及夜间排便人数比率均明显减少（7次vs3次,P〈0．05;3次VS1次,P〈0．05）,（64％VS31％,P〈0．05;30％VS3．9％,P〈0．05）。前者大便失禁综合评分显著优于后者（8VS2,P〈0．05;5．2VSL5,P〈0．05）。结论结果表明直肠癌行低位前切除术后,应用“J”型储袋行直肠或肛管吻合,不增加手术并发症,且在术后1年内,可以在某些方面改善患者排便功能。     

低位直肠癌前切除术后吻合口瘘的原因及防治的研究

低位直肠癌行保肛手术,可以使患者的生活质量有很大的提高,但是术后吻合口瘘仍是其主要的并发症,其发生可导致围手术期病死率上升,住院时间延长,费用增加,给患者造成了极大的痛苦.本文就低位直肠癌术后吻合口瘘发生的原因及防治措施的研究现状做一综述.     

Functional outcome after low anterior resection for rectal cancer using the colonic J-pouch

The functional outcome after low anterior resection (LAR) using the colonic J-pouch was compared with that after LAR using straight anastomosis. Colonic J-pouch construction was performed in 58 patients who underwent resection of tumors located 5–10 cm from the anal verge (J-pouch group). Functional assessment was performed 1 year postoperatively. Clinical function was evaluated using a scoring system, while physiologic sphincter and reservoir function were evaluated by anorectal manometry. The historical control group consisted of 20 patients who underwent LAR with straight anastomoses (straight group). The functional score of the J-pouch group was significantly better than that of the straight group. Although sphincter function was similar in the two groups, reservoir function was significantly better in the J-pouch group than in the straight group. These results demonstrated that the functional outcome following LAR for rectal cancer is improved by the colonic J-pouch construction.     

J型贮袋直肠吻合术对肛门功能影响的回顾性研究

目的评价低位直肠癌前切除保肛术后J型贮袋对改善排便功能的疗效。方法 60例患者行低位直肠癌前切除术以及结直肠或结肛吻合,其中22例应用J型贮袋（贮袋组）、38例应用结直肠或结肛直接吻合（无袋组）。记录并比较两组患者的术后并发症的发生情况及排便情况,对术后6个月和12个月的排便功能进行评估。结果两组间术后并发症发生率无明显差异。6个月后贮袋组患者在夜间溢便、漏稀便、区别排气排便和集团性排便方面明显优于无袋组。在术后6个月、12个月贮袋组的延缓排便均优于无袋组（P〈0.05）;两组在便不尽、需抗腹泻药和使用缓泻剂方面无显著性差异。结论结肠J型贮袋可改善低位直肠癌前切除患者术后早期的控变能力。     

Colonic pouch confers better bowel function and similar postoperative outcomes compared to straight anastomosis for low rectal cancer

BACKGROUNDWith advancements in laparoscopic technology and the wide application of linear staplers, sphincter-saving procedures are increasingly performed for low rectal cancer. However, sphincter-saving procedures have led to the emergence of a unique clinical disorder termed anterior rectal resection syndrome. Colonic pouch anastomosis improves the quality of life of patients with rectal cancer > 7 cm from the anal margin. But whether colonic pouch anastomosis can reduce the incidence of rectal resection syndrome in patients with low rectal cancer is unknown.AIMTo compare postoperative and oncological outcomes and bowel function of straight and colonic pouch anal anastomoses after resection of low rectal cancer.METHODSWe conducted a retrospective study of 72 patients with low rectal cancer who underwent sphincter-saving procedures with either straight or colonic pouch anastomoses. Functional evaluations were completed preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively. We also compared perioperative and oncological outcomes between two groups that had undergone low or ultralow anterior rectal resection.RESULTSThere were no significant differences in mean operating time, blood loss, time to first passage of flatus and excrement, and duration of hospital stay between the colonic pouch and straight anastomosis groups. The incidence of anastomotic leakage following colonic pouch construction was lower (11.4% vs 16.2%) but not significantly different than that of straight anastomosis. Patients with colonic pouch construction had lower postoperative low anterior resection syndrome scores than the straight anastomosis group, suggesting better bowel function (preoperative: 4.71 vs 3.89, P = 0.43; 1 mo after surgery: 34.2 vs 34.7, P = 0.59; 6 mo after surgery: 22.70 vs 29.0, P < 0.05; 12 mo after surgery: 15.5 vs 19.5, P = 0.01). The overall recurrence and metastasis rates were similar (4.3% and 11.4%, respectively).CONCLUSIONColonic pouch anastomosis is a safe and effective procedure for colorectal reconstruction after low and ultralow rectal resections. Moreover, colonic pouch construction may provide better functional outcomes compared to straight anastomosis.     

腹腔镜低位直肠保肛术中直肠脱出技术应用的初步研究

目的：探讨直肠脱出技术在腹腔镜低位保肛术中的应用价值。方法：回顾分析2005年10月至2009年1月运用直肠脱出技术行腹腔镜低位直肠前切除术的20例低位直肠肿瘤病人的临床资料,探讨其手术操作步骤及术后恢复情况、肿瘤根治性效果和随访结果。结果：所有病例均未发生术中严重并发症和手术死广,无中转开腹手术：平均手术时间为（122＋801min,术中平均出m（50±70）mL,病人术后平均排气时间、留置导尿管时间及术后住院天数分别为（2．2±1．1）d、（4．9±2．4）d和（11．0±4．2）d。,每例病人的平均清扫淋巴结总数为（15±4）枚,肿瘤距下切缘平均距离为（2．2±1．1）cm。所有病人均获随访,中位随访时间19（2-36）个月,未发现局部复发和远处转移,排便功能恢复均较满意。结论：直肠脱出技术运用于腹腔镜低位直肠保肛术安全有效,可作为低位直肠肿瘤保肛术的有效技术。