Stellenwert der Rektumexstirpation im Therapiekonzept des tief sitzenden Rektumkarzinoms

Introduction. The main objective of surgery of rectal carcinomas is to avoid a permanent colostomy by sphincter-sparing surgical procedures. A variety of different abdominoperineal resection rates is described in the literature. Material/method. The study was performed in 2000 within the framework of a multicentric study including 282 hospitals.The purpose of the study was to document the quality of diagnosis and therapy for colorectal carcinomas.A total of 9477 patients were included in this study: 3402 suffering from a rectal carcinoma and 6075 suffering from a colon carcinoma. Results. A total of 866 abdominoperineal resections was performed. This corresponds to an abdominoperineal resection rate of 27.4%. In 30.4% of all men and in 23.0% of all women an abdominoperineal resection was performed.Of all tumor patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection, 8.3% had a pT4 carcinoma and 57.5% a pT3 carcinoma.Adapted to the localization of the tumor in the rectum, i.e., the distance of the aboral tumor margin to the anal verge, the following abdominoperineal resection rates were found: <4 cm from the anal verge 84.6%, 4–7.9 cm 43.9%, 8–11.9 cm 5.8%, and 12–16 cm 0.5%.Intraoperative complications occurred in 11.8%, specific postoperative complications in 33.1%, and general postoperative complications in 27.4% of the patients.The postoperative lethality was 2.8%. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 21.7 days.Logistic regression identified the body mass index, gender, the distance of the carcinoma from the anal verge, and the T category as independent factors influencing the abdominoperineal resection rate. Discussion. Despite an overall decrease in use, abdominoperineal resection will continue to play an important role for the surgical treatment of low rectal cancers in routine clinical practice in Germany.It will remain an individual decision for each patient whether the tumor and the patient allow sphincter preservation or whether abdominoperineal resection seems to be necessary.According to the results of the present study,a general definition of an abdominoperineal resection rate in an unselected group of patients should be viewed critically.     

Early postoperative results of surgery for rectal carcinoma as a function of the distance of the tumor from the anal verge: results of a multicenter prospective evaluation

BACKGROUND: The problems associated with rectal surgery are frequently discussed with no reference being made to the distance of the tumor from the anal verge. This study examined the effect of the location of the tumor on early postoperative results. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a multicenter study involving 75 German hospitals and 3756 patients, of whom 1463 had rectal carcinoma. On the basis of the location of the tumor (distance from the anal verge), four groups were distinguished: <4, 4-7.9, 8-11.9, and 12-16 cm. RESULTS: Resection and abdominoperineal resection rates and the incidence of postoperative complications depended on the location of the tumor. Significantly higher resection rates and fewer specific complications, and a significant reduction in overall postoperative morbidity were found with tumor locations more than 8 cm from the anal verge. The highest anastomotic leak rate was observed with anastomoses less than 7 cm from the anal verge. The logistic regression showed that the distance of the tumor from the anal verge is an independent variable for the development of an anastomotic leak. CONCLUSIONS: Early results are greatly affected by the location of the rectal carcinoma. This applies to both abdominoperineal resection rates and specific postoperative complications, such as anastomotic leak rate and operation morbidity in general.     

Sphincter-saving resection for all rectal carcinomas: the end of the 2-cm distal rule

OBJECTIVE: To assess oncologic outcome of patients treated by conservative radical surgery for tumors below 5 cm from the anal verge. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Standard surgical treatment of low rectal cancer below 5 cm from the anal verge is abdominoperineal resection. METHODS: From 1990 to 2003, patients with a nonfixed rectal carcinoma at 4.5 cm or less from the anal verge and without external sphincter infiltration underwent conservative surgery. Surgery included total mesorectal excision with intersphincteric resection, that is, removal of the internal sphincter, to achieve adequate distal margin. Patients with T3 disease or internal sphincter infiltration received preoperative radiotherapy. RESULTS: Ninety-two patients with a tumor at 3 (range 1.5-4.5) cm from the anal verge underwent conservative surgery. There was no mortality and morbidity was 27%. The rate of complete microscopic resection (R0) was 89%, with 98% negative distal margin and 89% negative circumferential margin. In 58 patients with a follow-up of more than 24 months, the rate of local recurrence was 2% and the 5-year overall and disease-free survival were 81% and 70%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The technique of intersphincteric resection permits us to achieve conservative surgery in patients with a tumor close to or in the anal canal without compromising local control and survival. Tumor distance from the anal verge is no longer a limit for sphincter-saving resection.     

经肛门内镜微创手术治疗直肠上皮内瘤变和早期直肠癌

目的探讨经肛门内镜微创手术（TEM）治疗直肠上皮内瘤变（IN）和早期直肠癌的临床价值。方法选择15例直肠肿瘤患者采用TEM行局部切除术。根据活检病理结合直肠腔内超声检查（EUS）术前诊断低级别IN8例，高级别IN4例，早期直肠癌3例。肿瘤距肛缘的距离4—15（平均7．2）cm，肿瘤直径1—4（平均1．8）cm，肿瘤占据肠腔周径比例10％～40％（平均20％）。结果15例直肠肿瘤均获完整切除（黏膜下切除5例，全层切除10例），各切缘均阴性。手术时间为40．90（平均57）min；术中出血量为10-60（平均35）ml。术后住院时间为2-9（平均4．5）d。术后病理确诊：直肠低级别IN5例，高级别IN6例，早期黏膜下浸润癌（pT1期）和进展期癌（pT2期）各2例。术前EUS评估肿瘤浸润肠壁深度的准确率为86．7％（13／15）。15例术后随访2．10（平均6）个月，肿瘤无局部复发。结论TEM微创、显露良好、切除精确、能获取高质量的肿瘤标本用于准确的病理分期，是治疗直肠IN和早期直肠癌的理想术式。术前EUS检查对TEM病例的选择十分重要。     

低位直肠癌的手术治疗和吻合器的应用体会：附47例病例分析

目的 通过４７例距肛缘５～７ｃｍ低位直肠癌的分析,对距肛缘５～７ｃｍ的你位直肠癌保肛手术的理论依据、术式选择、吻合器应用的优越性和吻合器在保肛手术中的运用体会及主要并发症的防治进行了探讨。１９９４年７月至１９９７年８月作根治性手术的距肛缘５～７ｃｍ的低位直肠癌患者４７例。结果：４０例行Ｄｉｘｏｎ术式,７例行Ｍｉｌｅｓ术式。３８／４０例Ｄｉｘｉｏｎ术式应用管状端端吻合器（ＥＥＡ）,其中发生直肠阴道瘘     

Magnetic resonance imaging predicts sphincter invasion of low rectal cancer and influences selection of operation

BACKGROUND: With the development of numerous sphincter-saving surgical techniques in the last 2 decades, the indication for abdominoperineal resection in radical-elective operations has been markedly reduced. The preoperative assessment of the extent of local tumor growth is essential for the planning of the optimal surgical procedure. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) proved to be a reliable method for local staging of low rectal carcinoma. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of sphincter invasion in an unselected population with low rectal cancer. METHODS: From 1997 to 1999, 40 patients with histologically verified adenocarcinoma of the lower rectum (+/-5 cm above the linea dentata) without evidence of metastases underwent a MRI with a body coil (no anal endocoil). The MRI results were compared with the operative situs and with pathohistologic findings. RESULTS: An infiltration of the sphincter ani internus was observed in 11 cases (28%), and a combined infiltration of the sphincter ani internus and externus was found in 2 patients (5%). The median distance of the lower tumor edge to the upper border of the anal canal was 2.0 cm (range, 0-4.5 cm). No infiltration of the external sphincter was observed in patients with cancers above the anal canal. Nine patients (22%) were treated with intersphincteric resection and coloanal anastomosis, 12 (30%) with ultralow resection, and 11 (28%) with low anterior resection of the rectum in conjunction with coloanal anastomosis or a stapled anastomosis. Eight (17%) of the patients were treated with abdominoperineal resection. CONCLUSION: An infiltration of the internal sphincter occurs only in 28% of low rectal cancers; an infiltration of the external anal sphincter is extremely rare and occurred only in patients with cancers located in the anal canal. Pelvic MRI offers a precise preoperative visualization of sphincter infiltration in patients with low rectal cancers and is therefore a valuable tool for planning of rectal surgery.     

Concept de conservation sphinct��rienne dans la chirurgie du bas et du moyen rectum

Objective

To assess oncologic outcome of patients treated by conservative radical surgery for tumors below 5 cm from the anal verge.

Summary background data

Standard surgical treatment of low rectal cancer below 5 cm from the anal verge is abdominoperineal resection.

Methods

From 1990 to 2003, patients with a nonfixed rectal carcinoma at 4.5 cm or less from the anal verge and without external sphincter infiltration underwent conservative surgery. Surgery included total mesorectal excision with intersphincteric resection, that is, removal of the internal sphincter, to achieve adequate distal margin. Patients with T3 disease or internal sphincter infiltration received preoperative radiotherapy.

Results

Ninety-two patients with a tumor at 3 cm (range 1.5?C4.5) from the anal verge underwent conservative surgery. There was no mortality and morbidity was 27%. The rate of complete microscopic resection (R0) was 89%, with 98% negative distal margin and 89% negative circumferential margin. In 58 patients with a follow-up of more than 24 months, the rate of local recurrence was 2%, and the 5-year overall survival and disease-free survival were 81% and 70%, respectively.

Conclusion

The technique of intersphincteric resection allows us to achieve conservative surgery in patients with a tumor close to or in the anal canal without compromising local control and survival. The distance of tumor from the anal verge is no longer a limit for sphincter-saving resection.     

Preoperative radiotherapy improves survival for patients undergoing total mesorectal excision for stage T3 low rectal cancers

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of preoperative radiotherapy (PRT) on patients who undergo rectal resection with total mesorectal excision (TME) for stage T3 low rectal cancers. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Evidence for the value of PRT before rectal cancer surgery is weakened by variability in the use of TME. Many surgeons have concluded that PRT is unnecessary for small rectal tumors if TME is performed, but there are no prospective data to support this opinion. METHODS: Since 1980, 2,200 patients with rectal cancer have been enrolled in a prospective database. Of these, 259 underwent curative anterior or abdominoperineal resection with TME for pathologically confirmed T3 lesions within 8 cm of the anal verge. Patients were grouped by receiving PRT (n = 92) or not receiving PRT (n = 167). Five-year overall survival and 5-year local recurrence rates were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall survival was increased from 52% in patients not receiving PRT to 63% in those receiving PRT. PRT increased overall survival for node-negative patients from 58% to 82%, with no benefit for node-positive patients. There was no significant difference in local recurrence rates. When categorized by tumor size, there was no difference in overall survival or local recurrence for 0- to 2-cm tumors or those larger than 5 cm, but PRT increased overall survival from 50% to 72% for patients with 2- to 5-cm tumors. Similar results were observed for patients with tumors staged as T3 on preoperative endoluminal ultrasound. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with pT3 low rectal cancers undergoing resection with TME have an improved survival with PRT. The effect is most beneficial for patients with node-negative and 2- to 5-cm tumors, although this group may include larger and node-positive tumors that have been downstaged by PRT. PRT should be advocated for all patients with T3 rectal cancers less than 8 cm from the anal verge, even if the surgery includes a properly performed TME.     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for excision of rectal lesions: technique and initial results

The aim of this study was to review experience with transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) and to assess its applicability to an existing practice of colorectal surgeons. Patients undergoing TEM excision of rectal lesions from March 1997 through May 1999 were selected for this study. Medical records were reviewed retrospectively to obtain pertinent data, including indications for TEM, tumor size, distance from anal verge, duration of operation, completeness of tumor resection, postoperative complications, duration of stay and follow-up, and recurrence. Thirty-one patients underwent TEM during the 2-year period. Indications for TEM included benign disease in eight patients and cancer in 23 patients. Mean distance of the tumor from the anal verge was 8.3 cm. Mean size of the lesion was 2.8 cm, and mean specimen size was 4.5 cm. Larger specimen sizes allowed for tumors to be removed with negative margins (97%) in all cases but one. Mean duration of operation was 140 minutes (including set-up time), and mean duration of hospital stay was 1.2 days. Major postoperative complications occurred in one patient. Mean duration of follow-up was 15 months, and recurrence developed in two patients during this period. Transanal endoscopic microsurgery excision of rectal lesions with negative margins was possible in 97% of cases with minimal morbidity and a short-duration hospital stay. Follow-up was too brief to evaluate recurrence, but the thoroughness of resection of tumor in a high proportion of cases is promising.     

Results of long-term follow-up for transanal excision for rectal cancer

Low anterior resection and abdominoperineal resection are the surgical techniques used most frequently in the treatment of rectal cancer. It is our hypothesis that selected patients with early T stage, well or moderate grade of differentiation, and small tumor size are good candidates for transanal excision in terms of minimal morbidity, low recurrence rate, and sphincter preservation. From January 1993 until August 2001 30 patients underwent transanal excision; three patients were excluded because they had histology other than adenocarcinoma. Factors analyzed included those related to the patient [age (years), gender, race, body mass index, and anal tone], tumor [size (cm), distance from the anal verge (cm), differentiation, and American Joint Committee on Cancer stage], and additional treatment. Median follow-up of the group was 40.7 months (range 0.6-99) and the primary end points were local and distant recurrence. Data are presented as mean (range). The median age of the group was 58.9 years (range 27-94); 52 per cent were female and 48 per cent were male. The mean body mass index was 25.9 (range 22.7-36.7). Preoperatively 81, 11, and 4 per cent of the patients had stage I, II, and III/IV cancer, respectively. Preoperative size of the tumor was 2.0 cm (1-3 cm), and distance from the anal verge was 5.0 cm (3-15 cm). Blood loss was 50 cm3 (5-200 cm3), and there were no operative complications. Tumor differentiation levels were well (37%) and moderate (63%). All patients had negative margins. Additional treatment consisted of radiation therapy in seven patients (six postoperative and one preoperative). Chemotherapy was given to seven patients (six postoperative and one preoperative). The local recurrence rate was 7.4 per cent (two patients), and 3.7 per cent recurred distantly (one patient). Transanal excision of low rectal cancer in selected patients is an acceptable alternative to formal resection. Important selection criteria include early T stage, well or moderate differentiation, relatively small tumor size, and negative microscopic margins. The roles of radiation and chemotherapy remain controversial.     

直肠癌局部切除术54例疗效分析

目的 探讨直肠癌局部切除的手术方式及疗效。方法 回顾分析1975-2000年间局部切除治疗直肠癌54例的临床资料。结果 局部切除术式包括经肛局部切除44例、经骶局部切除6例、经肛门括约肌局部切除２例及经阴道局部切除2例。48例肿瘤直径≤３cm,6例＞３cm。本组高分化腺癌48例，中分化腺癌６例；肿瘤浸润浅肌层（T2）8例。术后１例发生吻合口瘘、2例发生排便障碍，２例发生肠道出血。术手所有病例均接受放疗化疗，随访中2例局部复发（15%），复发时间为术后42(10-84)个月，复发病例再次行Miles手术。本组病例5年生存率为85%(45/53),10年生存率为55%(29/53),包括T1病变者分别为87%(39/45)及69%(27/39),T2分别为75%(6/8)及33%(2/6)。结论 只要适应症选择得当，局部切除术治疗直肠癌可取得与根治术类似的疗效。     

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery for carcinoma of the rectum

Background The authors present their experience with rectal cancers managed by transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM). Methods This prospective study investigated patients undergoing primary TEM excision for definitive treatment of rectal cancer between January 1996 and December 2003 by a single surgeon in a tertiary referral colorectal surgical unit. Results For this study, 52 patients (30 men and 22 women) underwent TEM excision of a rectal cancer. Their mean age was 74.3 years (range, 48–93 years). The median diameter of the lesions was 3.44 cm (range, 1.6–8.5 cm). The median distance of the lesions from the anal verge was 8.8 cm (range, 3–15 cm), with the tumor more than 10 cm from the anal verge in 36 patients. The median operating time was 90 min (range, 20–150 min), and the median postoperative stay was 2 days. All patients underwent full-thickness excisions. There were 11 minor complications, 2 major complications, and no deaths. The mean follow-up period was 40 months (range, 22–82 months). None of the pT1 rectal cancers received adjuvant therapy. Eight patients with pT2 rectal cancer and two patients with pT3 rectal cancer received postoperative adjuvant therapy. The overall local rate of recurrence was 14%, and involved cases of T2 and T3 lesions, with no recurrence after excision of T1 cancers. Three patients died during the follow-up period, but no cancer-specific deaths occurred. Conclusions The findings warrant the conclusion that TEM is a safe, effective treatment for selected cases of rectal cancer, with low morbidity and no mortality. The TEM procedure broadens the range of lesions suitable for local resection to include early cancers (pTis and pT1) and more advanced cancers only in frail people.     

经肛门内窥镜下微创治疗直肠肿瘤40例初步经验

目的 评价经肛门内窥镜微创外科技术(TEM)治疗直肠宽基腺瘤和早期直肠癌临床效果.方法 分析2005年5月至2007年4月40例TEM手术的临床效果,结果 40例肿瘤直径中位值2.3 cm,肿瘤下缘距齿状线距离为(8.2±3.2)cm,肿瘤侵犯直肠周径范围为(32.3±18.5)%.平均手术时间为(90±43)min.平均住院4.8 d.无围手术期死亡.切缘瘤细胞均为阴性.病理示直肠绒毛状腺瘤24例、直肠腺癌10例、直肠类癌6例,10例腺癌中pTis2例,PT16例和pT22例.平均随访11个月,所有病例无局部复发.结论 TEM手术创伤小、保留肛门括约肌、缩短住院时间;既可作为直肠宽基腺瘤和pT1期直肠癌的治愈性手术,也可作为pT2直肠癌的姑息性治疗手段.     

Surgery treatment of rectal cancer

Surgical resection is the only curative procedure for carcinoma of the rectum. Heald's development of total mesorectal excision has made it the standard approach for mobile, non-fixed tumors; it permits optimal local control with less than 10% local recurrence at five years and minimizes nerve damage and genito-urinary complications. Although initial short-term results of laparoscopic approaches are very promising, the final role of laparoscopy has not yet been established. Neo-adjuvant radiotherapy should be proposed for locally advanced (T3, T4, and/or N+) tumors of the low and mid-rectum. Radiochemotherapy coupled with intersphincteric dissection offers hope for sphicter-sparing extirpation of even the lowest of rectal cancers. Local resection through a trans-anal approach may be considered for small (<3 cm.), mobile, well-differentiated tumors lying within 8 cm. of the anal verge if rectal echo-endoscopy shows an in-situ tumor or a T1 lesion with no evidence of lymphadenopathy. Future strategies may enlarge the indications for local resection if and when radiochemotherapy can achieve a complete local response (tumor sterilization).     

Preoperative staging of patients with rectal tumors suitable for transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM): comparison of endorectal ultrasound and histopathologic findings

Background  Accurate preoperative staging is the key to correct selection of rectal tumors for local excision. This study aims to assess the accuracy of endorectal ultrasound (ERUS) at our institution. Patients and methods  Retrospective analysis was carried out of patients treated by transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) from 1996 to 2008. TEM was considered the treatment of choice for uT0-1/N0 lesions located between 2 and 12 cm from the anal verge. It was also proposed in selected uT2-3 patients. Preoperative staging was compared with histopathologic findings. Results  Eighty-one patients (46 males, mean age 66 years) underwent TEM. Mean distance of the tumor from the anal verge was 6.6 cm (range 2–12 cm). ERUS staged 15 of 27 adenomas (55%) as uT1. Of 54 carcinomas, 5 were pT0 because TEM was performed to remove resection margins of a malign polyp already snared. Five of 19 pTis (26%) were overstaged uT1, while 7 of 17 pT1 (41%) were understaged. Overall, ERUS enabled distinction between early and advanced rectal lesion with 96% sensitivity and 85% specificity, giving accuracy of 94% (65/67). Thirteen patients had advanced lesions (eight pT2 and five pT3). Only in two of them (15%) was depth of invasion underestimated by ERUS (one uT0, one uT1) and thus was subsequent salvage surgery necessary. Conclusions  ERUS is useful to confirm the diagnosis of adenoma and predict depth of mural invasion in early rectal cancer. Differentiation between T0/is and T1 lesions remains challenging, however this does not usually influence surgical strategy.     

Transvaginal resection of a rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor

We herein report a case in which a rectal gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) was resected transvaginally. The patient, a 45-year-old female, had a rectal GIST on the anterior wall of the lower rectum. The tumor was within 6?cm of the anal verge, a location which would normally require performing an ultra-low anterior resection using the Double Staple Technique, and a diverting stoma. To minimize the invasiveness of treatment and to reduce the postoperative morbidity, a transvaginal resection was performed. Under general anesthesia, the posterior vaginal mucosa was incised vertically. The tumor was then excised en bloc with the overlying rectovaginal septum and rectal mesenchymal tissue. The defect was repaired primarily, and a diverting stoma was not required. The procedure was uncomplicated, and the patient was discharged home with an intact anal sphincter function and no abdominal incisions. In female patients, transvaginal resection of low anterior rectal lesions may provide a minimally invasive alternative to the traditional ultra-low anterior resection.     

腹腔镜经腹柱状腹会阴联合切除术治疗低位直肠癌

目的评价腹腔镜经腹柱状腹会阴联合切除术的安全性和可行性。方法福建医科大学附属协和医院普通外科于2010到2011年期间对6例距离肛缘3cm以内的T3～T4期直肠癌患者．行腹腔镜经腹柱状腹会阴联合切除术,术中在腹腔镜直视下经腹切除肛提肌,会阴部操作时未翻转患者的体位。其中3例患者应用人脱细胞真皮基质补片行盆底重建。结果全部操作均成功完成．无术中并发症、腹腔镜相关并发症及中转手术。平均手术时间为186．7min,平均术中出血量为101．7ml。所有标本均呈柱状．标本上的肛提肌均附着在直肠系膜上,环周切缘均为阴性。应用人脱细胞真皮基质补片重建盆底者未见并发症。结论腹腔镜下经腹切除肛提肌、不改变患者体位行人脱细胞真皮基质补片重建盆底是可行的。该术式极大地简化了柱状腹会阴联合切除这一巨创、繁杂的术式．并具有肿瘤学效果好和并发症少的优点。     

Long-term results of intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer

INTRODUCTION: In the treatment of very low rectal cancer, a distal resection margin of more than 1 cm can be obtained by partial internal sphincteric resection, allowing a sphincter preserving surgery. Thus, intersphincteric resection (ISR) has been proposed as an alternative to abdominoperineal resection for selected low rectal cancer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess the morbidity, mortality, and the long-term oncologic and functional results of ISR. METHODS: Charts of patients who had ISR between 1992 and 2004 were reviewed. Cancer-related survival and locoregional recurrence rates were calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method. Functional outcome was assessed by using a standardized gastrointestinal functional questionnaire. Incontinence was assessed by the continence score of Wexner. RESULTS: Ninety patients (59 males, 31 females) with a tumor at a median distance of 35 mm (range, 22-52) from the anal verge had an ISR. Thirty-seven patients (41%) had preoperative radiotherapy.Histologically complete remission after neoadjuvant radiotherapy (ypT0) was observed in 7 patients (8%), 12 patients (13%) were pT1, 35 patients (39%) pT2, 32 patients (36%) pT3, and 4 patients (4%) pT4. Five patients (5.5%) had synchronous liver metastases. R0 resection was obtained in 85 patients (94.4%). The median distal resection margin on the fixed specimen was 12 mm (range, 5-35) and was positive in 1 case. The circumferential margin was positive (< or =1 mm) in 4 patients (4.4%). There was no mortality. Complication rate was 18.8%: anastomotic leakage occurred in 8 patients (8.8%) and 1 patient had an anovaginal fistula. Five patients (5.6%) underwent secondary abdominoperineal resection: 1 for positive distal margin, 1 for colonic J-pouch necrosis, and 3 for local recurrence. ONCOLOGIC RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 56.2 months (range, 13.3-168.4), local, distant, and combined recurrence occurred in 6 (6.6%), 8 (8.8%), and 2 patients, respectively. Thirteen patients (14.4%) died of cancer recurrence. Five-year overall and disease-free survival was 82% (80-97) and 75% (64-86), respectively. In univariate analysis, overall survival was significantly influenced by pTNM stage and T stage (pT 1-2 vs. 3-4: P = 0.008 and stage I-II vs. III-IV: P = 0.03). In multivariate analysis, we did not find any impact on local recurrence-free survival for the investigated prognostic variables. FUNCTIONAL RESULTS: For a total of 83 patients the mean stool frequency was 2.3 +/- 1.3 per 24 hours. Forty-one percent of patients had stool fragmentation, one-third nocturnal defecation, 19% fecal urgency, and 36% followed low fiber diet. Thirty-four patients (41%) were fully continent, 29 patients (35%) had minor continence problems, and 20 patients (24%) were incontinent. After adjustment for age, gender, tumor level, and pTNM stage, preoperative radiotherapy was the only factor associated with a risk of fecal incontinence [OR (IC 95%) = 3.1 (1.0-9.0), P = 0.04]. CONCLUSION: In selected patients, ISR is a safe operation with good oncologic results. It achieves good functional results in 76% of patients. Functional results are significantly altered by preoperative radiotherapy.     

Technique and results of transanal endoscopic microsurgery in early rectal cancer.

The anatomy of the pelvis makes it difficult to perform local excisions in the rectum when the tumor is some distance from the anal verge. We have, therefore, developed a new minimally invasive technique for tumor resection. A rectoscope with a 40-mm diameter permits tumor resection under stereoscopic control in the gas-dilated rectal cavity. Excisions in full-thickness technique up to segmental resections with end-to-end anastomosis can be performed. In selected cases, local excision of a small rectal cancer can be regarded as appropriate treatment. However, most local resections of carcinomas are performed when removal of an adenoma is planned, and the postoperative histology shows a carcinoma. Since 1983, we have operated on 326 patients, 274 who have been enrolled in a prospective clinical trial. Definitive histologic examination proved that 74 of these tumors were carcinomas. The rate of severe complications in patients with carcinomas was 9%, and the mortality rate was 0%. The advantages of this new technique are: The stereoscopic magnified view in the gas-dilated rectum allows precise surgery in an operative field that is otherwise difficult to reach. During the postoperative period, minimal discomfort and pain result in a short hospitalization.