The influence of abdomino-peranal (intersphincteric) resection of lower third rectal carcinoma on the rates of sphincter preservation and locoregional recurrence

OBJECTIVE: The most extended form of rectal resection, representing the very last option for sphincter preservation is abdomino-peranal intersphincteric resection for tumours of the lower third which otherwise would not be resectable with preservation of the sphincter by an abdominal approach alone. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The data of 476 patients with a carcinoma in the lower third of the rectum who underwent primary treatment for stage I-III disease by low anterior resection, abdomino-peranal (intersphincteric) resection or abdominoperineal excision between 1985 and 2001 were analysed. The time periods 1985-94 and 1995-2001 were compared. RESULTS: The rate of intersphincteric resections increased from 3% in 1985-94 to 27% in 1995-2001 while abdominoperineal excisions decreased. Postoperative complication rate was not increased in intersphincteric resections (25%) while postoperative mortality did not differ between the operative procedures. The overall 5-year-rate of locoregional recurrence decreased from 18% to 16%. In intersphincteric resections 14.2% of the patients treated with radiochemotherapy developed locoregional recurrence, while this rate was 46.5% (7/18) if adjuvant treatment was not administered (P = 0.0200). The cancer-related 5-year survival rate was not altered by intersphincteric resection. CONCLUSION: In carcinomas of the lower third of the rectum, the application of abdomino-peranal intersphincteric resection can reduce the need for rectal excision by 20%. Neo-/adjuvant radiochemotherapy is required to reduce locoregional recurrence to an acceptable level.     

Sphincter-saving surgery for rectal carcinoma. Comparison of two five-year periods from 1980 to 1989

The early results of treatment for rectal adenocarcinoma in 290 patients were compared in two five-year periods, from 1980 to 1989, considering sphincter preservation. Altogether, 223 patients (77%) had radical surgery and the primary tumour was excised in 267 cases (92%). Operative mortality was 2.8% (8 patients), 3.2% in the first and 2.3% in the second five-year period. Sphincter-saving surgery was undertaken in 68 of 157 patients (43%) and in 90 of 133 patients (68%) within the two periods. This failed in one (1.5%) and five (5.6%) patients (P greater than 0.05), respectively. Anastomotic leak rates were 1.4, 18 and 38% after anterior resections for tumours of the upper, middle and lower thirds of the rectum. Both mortality (1.4 vs 3.8%) and the total number of complications (23 vs 39%) were less after anterior resection than after abdominoperineal excision of the rectum. In conclusion, increased use of low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma has not led to higher mortality or overall morbidity, but the high leak rate after very low anastomoses remains to be solved.     

Sphincter-saving surgery in low rectal cancer

A correct surgical approach to rectal cancer today has to make due allowance for both improved overall survival with local control of disease and preservation of the sphincter and urinary and genital functions. Increased understanding of the natural history, the importance of preoperative accurate staging and new surgical techniques may influence future treatment strategies. The aim of this study was to review and make a reappraisal of the role of sphincter-preserving surgery in the treatment of carcinomas of the lower third of the rectum. From January 1999 to June 2004, 63 consecutive total rectal resections were performed at our surgical department. Thirty-five of these patients, who underwent surgery for a primary adenocarcinoma of the distal rectum (3.5 to 8 cm from the anal verge), were reviewed retrospectively. The preoperative clinical assessment was based largely on T staging, tumor size, fixation and distance from the anal verge. Patient stratification, based on the definitive pathological report, was 3 Dukes' stage A (T1 N0), 21 stage B (T2 N0) and 11 stage C (T2-3-4 N+). The distance from the anal verge was > 5 cm in 30 patients and < 5 cm in 5. Sphincter-saving procedures were performed in 28/35 patients (80%); 7 (20%) had abdominoperineal resections of the rectum for very distal, locally extensive tumours or local recurrence (2 patients). The overall recurrence rate was 11.4%. Postoperative morbidity related to the procedures was low: anastomotic leakage occurred in 10.7% (3/28). Perfect continence was documented in 86.3%. The minimum follow-up time is 12 months. Our data, in agreement with the findings of other Authors, appear to bear out the validity of sphincter-saving procedures in the treatment of cancer of the lower third of the rectum. This approach is possible for the majority of patients. Functional results are good, using an accurate nerve-sparing technique, and may be improved by employing a colonic reservoir in selected cases.     

Rectal carcinoma. Optimizing therapy by partial or total mesorectum removal]

The role of total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer treatment is one of the most exciting findings in surgical oncology of the recent years. The patient's prognosis largely depends on the surgical quality of rectal resection. The excision of the cancer bearing rectum has to follow very precisely along the mesorectal fascia by sharp dissection without damaging the mesorectum itself. This technique reduces the local recurrence rate to below 10% and allows long-term survival in two thirds of all patients. Rectal cancers of the middle and lower third of the rectum need to be treated by total mesorectal excision down to the muscular pelvic floor, the ones of the upper third and the sigmoideo-rectal junction are appropriately treated by partial mesorectal excision down to 5 cm below the tumor. No additional survival benefit may be expected when pelvic lymphadenectomy has been performed. The direct tumor spread along the bowel wall and the lymphatic tumor spread in a caudal direction are uncommon and late findings in rectal cancer disease. Low and ultralow rectal carcinomas may therefore be treated by a sphincter preserving procedure respecting a safety margin of at least 1 to 2 cm. Thus, continence preserving surgery may be performed in over 80% of patients suffering from rectal cancer without compromising long-term outcome.     

Lebensqualität nach Rektumkarzinomoperation

Multimodal treatment of advanced rectal cancer involves excision of the rectum in conjunction with pelvic radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Outcome assessment in oncologic surgery for rectal cancer has conventionally included data regarding perioperative mortality and morbidity, disease recurrence, and long-term survival. Throughout the past decade however research has increased in the field of patient-reported outcome, and quality of life (QoL) is now regarded as a key measurement in assessing outcomes of interventions. The aim of this review paper was to evaluate QoL assessment in different aspects of rectal surgery. In general patients undergoing abdominoperineal excision with permanent colostomy did not have poorer QoL measures than those undergoing anterior resection. Reversal of a dysfunctional loop ileostomy in surgery for low rectal cancer improves most patients’ overall QoL. The previously reported short- and long-term QoL analysis of laparoscopic vs conventional open rectal surgery revealed no significant differences. In patients undergoing restorative resection for low rectal cancer, colonic J pouches offer significant advantages in function and QoL over straight anastomosis or coloplasty.     

A new concept of the anatomy of the anal sphincter mechanism and the physiology of defecation: XII. Anorectal mobilization: A new surgical access to rectal lesions. Preliminary report

A new technique for the removal of inaccessible benign intrarectal lesions and malignant lower third rectal tumors with sphincter preservation is presented. The procedure was performed in eight patients, four with huge bilharzial papillomas and four with malignant lower third rectal tumors. The essential feature of the operation is preservation of the levator tunnel, which is responsible for maintaining normal, voluntary continence and defecation. The results were satisfactory. The technique provides easy access to the interior of the rectum, and it extends the indications for sphincter-saving operations to include malignant lower third rectal tumors. It is hoped that this procedure will eliminate the use of abdominoperineal excision in the treatment of rectal cancer.     

Conservative surgery for low rectal carcinoma after high-dose radiation. Functional and oncologic results.

OBJECTIVE: Using a prospective, nonrandomized study, the authors evaluated the morbidity and functional and oncologic results of conservative surgery for cancer of the lower third of the rectum after high-dose radiation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Colo-anal anastomosis has made sphincter conservation for low rectal carcinoma technically feasible. The limits to conservative surgery currently are oncologic rather than technical. Adjuvant radiotherapy has proven its benefit in terms of regional control, with a dose relationship. METHODS: Since June 1990, 27 patients with distal rectal adenocarcinoma were treated by preoperative radiotherapy (40 + 20 Gy delivered with three fields) and curative surgery. The mean distance from the anal verge was 47 mm (27-57 mm), and none of the tumors were fixed (15 T2, 12 T3). RESULTS: Mortality and morbidity were not increased by high-dose preoperative radiation. Twenty-one patients underwent conservative surgery (78%-17 total proctectomies and colo-anal anastomoses, 4 trans-anal resections). After colo-anal anastomosis, all patients with colonic pouch had good results; two patients had moderate results and one patient had poor results after straight colo-anal anastomosis. With a mean follow-up of 24 months, the authors noted 1 postoperative death, 2 disease-linked deaths, 1 controlled regional recurrence, 2 evolutive patients with pulmonary metastases, and 21 disease-free patients. CONCLUSIONS: These first results confirm the possibility of conservative surgery for low rectal carcinoma after high-dose radiation. A prospective, randomized trial could be induced to determine the real role of the 20 Gy boost on the sphincter-saving decision.     

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.     

Factors affecting anastomotic complications following anterior resection in rectal cancer

OBJECTIVE: Anastomotic complications following sphincter saving rectal surgery remains a significant clinical problem in rectal cancer surgery. Preoperative combined modality therapy followed by anterior resection with total mesorectal excision (TME) has become the preferred treatment paradigm for locally advanced rectal cancer. However, its impact on anastomotic complications has not been adequately evaluated. This study aimed to assess the relationship between the response of the primary tumour to neo-adjuvant therapy with anastomotic complications and to evaluate the effect of other clinico-pathological factors previously implicated, in this patient cohort. METHOD: A total of 119 consecutive patients with primary rectal cancer were assessed of which there were 87 anterior resections. A prospectively collected database was queried to determine the incidence of anastomotic complications, association with response to neo-adjuvant therapy and other clinico-pathological factors. Data were analysed with SPSS 14.0. RESULTS: Anterior resection was performed in 87/111 (78.4%) patients of which 46/84 (56%) were low resections, with an abdominoperineal excision of rectum rate of 11/111 (9.9%). Anastomotic complications were seen as clinical leaks in 10/87 (11.5%) and late colo-visceral fistulae in 2/87 (2.2%) patients. Subclinical/ radiological 'leaks' were quantified as 4/87 (4.5%). A good pathological response to neo-adjuvant therapy was found to be strongly associated with anastomotic complications (P = 0.006). Presence of a perioperative cardiac event was the only other clinical factor associated with anastomotic complications (P = 0.004) in our study. CONCLUSION: Rectal cancer treated with neo-adjuvant therapy and radical resection with TME for better local control may be associated with greater anastomotic complications particularly when a good pathological response is seen.     

A comparison of published rates of resection margin involvement and intra‐operative perforation between standard and ‘cylindrical’ abdominoperineal excision for low rectal cancer

Aim The study aimed to compare recent reports on standard and alternative methods of abdominoperineal excision for low rectal cancer regarding the rates of circumferential resection margin involvement and intra‐operative bowel perforation. Method Data on rates of margin involvement and perforation were obtained from eight recently published reports and also from a prospective registry of resections at Concord Hospital. Rates of these outcomes and their 95% confidence intervals were evaluated. Results There was no evidence that extralevator abdominoperineal excision yielded significantly lower rates of resection margin involvement or intra‐operative bowel perforation compared with standard abdominoperineal excision in six independent hospital‐ and population‐based patient series. Abdominosacral resection of the rectum, on the other hand, did show significantly lower rates of these endpoints, albeit in selected patients. Conclusion The role of extralevator abdominoperineal excision and abdominosacral resection of the rectum should be investigated further in randomized controlled trials.     

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.     

Current problems of the surgical treatment of rectal cancer: analysis of the literature and personal experience

The surgical procedure is a crucial factor in preventing local recurrence in rectal cancer, and total mesorectal excision (TME) particularly is widely accepted as being associated with a decreased local recurrence rate. In this study, concerning 187 patients with rectal cancer, we compare conventional surgery, performed in 140 patients from 1979 to 1993, with a standardised TME procedure in 47 patients over the period from 1994 to 1998. The first group not treated by TME were operated on for 56 (40%) tumours of the upper rectum and 84 (60%) of the lower rectum; 35 (25%) were Dukes' A, 77 Dukes' B and 28 (20%) Dukes' C. 42 abdominoperineal amputations (30%) and 98 anterior resections (70%) were performed. The second group in which TME was performed comprised 17 (36%) tumours of the upper rectum and 30 (64%) of the lower rectum, 8 (17%) in stage I AJCC (Dukes' A), 16 (34%) in II (B) and 23 (49%) in III (C). 9 abdominoperineal amputations (19%) and 38 anterior resections (81%) were performed, 8 (21%) with an ultra-low anastomosis. In the first group of patients we observed 28 local recurrences (20%) and a 5-year disease-free survival in 50% of cases. In the second group we achieved a decreased rate of local recurrence (10.6%) which is about half that observed after conventional surgery, but there was no significant difference in survival. These data confirm the effectiveness of TME in reducing local recurrence rate, according to the literature; in future this procedure can get to reconsider the role of adjuvant therapy in the management of rectal cancer.     

Preoperative Radiochemotherapy and Sphincter-Saving Resection for T3 Carcinomas of the Lower Third of the Rectum

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the complications and oncologic and functional results of preoperative radiochemotherapy and sphincter-saving resection for T3 cancers of the lower third of the rectum. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Carcinomas of the lower third of the rectum (i.e., located at or below 6 cm from the anal verge) are usually treated by abdominoperineal resection, especially for T3 lesions. Few data are available evaluating concomitant chemotherapy with preoperative radiotherapy for increasing sphincter-saving resection in low rectal cancer. METHODS: Between 1995 and 1999, 43 patients underwent preoperative radiochemotherapy with conservative surgery for a low rectal tumor located a mean of 4.5 cm from the anal verge (range 2-6); 70% of the lesions were less than 2 cm from the anal sphincter. There were 40 T3 and 3 T4 tumors. Patients received preoperative radiotherapy with a mean dose of 50 Gy (range 40-54) and concomitant chemotherapy with 5-FU in continuous infusion (n = 36) or bolus (n = 7). Sphincter- saving resection was performed 6 weeks after treatment, in 25 patients by using intersphincteric resection. Coloanal anastomoses were associated with a colonic pouch in 86% of the patients, and all patients had a protecting stoma. RESULTS: There were no deaths related to preoperative radiochemotherapy and surgery. Acute toxicity was mainly due to diarrhea, with 54% of grade 1 to 2. Four anastomotic fistulas and two pelvic hematomas occurred; all patients but one had closure of the stoma. Distal and radial surgical margins were respectively 23 +/- 8 mm (range 10-40) and 8 +/- 4 mm (range 1-20) and were negative in 98% of the patients. Downstaging (pT0-2N0) was observed in 42% of the patients (18/43) and was associated with a greater radial margin (10 vs. 6 mm; P =.02). After a median follow-up of 30 months, the rate of local recurrence was 2% (1/43), and four patients had distal metastases. Overall and disease-free survival rates were both 85% at 3 years. Functional results were good (Kirwan continence I, II) in 79% of the available patients (n = 37). They were slightly altered by intersphincteric resection (57 vs. 75% of perfect continence; NS) but were significantly improved by a colonic pouch (74 vs. 16%; P =.01). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that preoperative radiochemotherapy allowed sphincter-saving resection to be performed with good local control and good functional results in patients with T3 low rectal cancers that would have required abdominoperineal resection in most instances.     

Totale Mesorektumexzision bei Karzinom des mittleren und unteren Rektumdrittels

INTRODUCTION: The introduction of total mesorectal excision (TME) in the treatment of rectal cancer has improved survival rates and decreased recurrence. Our objective was to analyse perioperative data as well as the results of the follow-up examination.Risk-factors for local recurrence should be identified since the indication for adjuvant therapy in "optimal surgery" has to be redefined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 1997 and December 2001, 108 patients with adenocarcinoma of the lower and middle rectum were operated on by three surgeons according to the concept of total mesorectal excision.In 75 (69.4%) patients,a lower anterior resection and in 32 (29.2%) cases an abdominoperineal resection was performed. One patient received a Hartmann's resection.There were 15 cases of stage IV (UICC) present and in 53 patients the tumor extension was restricted to the wall.Demographic and perioperative data as well as the results of the follow-up examination were registered prospectively. The median follow-up period amounted to 24 months (2-56). RESULTS: A total of 87 patients underwent a curative resection.Fourteen lymph nodes were dissected (median).Pelvic autonomic nerve preservation was possible in 90 patients.The median intraoperative blood loss was 500 ml. As surgical complications, anastomotic leakage occurred in 18% of cases, perineal wound infection in 33%, and bladder dysfunction (requiring catheterisation) in 5.6%.The overall rate of recurrence was 17.5%.The rate of local recurrence was 4.9% and the survival rate was 91% over 3 years.Risk factors for local recurrence are N2-disease, transmural growth and tumor localisation in the lower third of the rectum. CONCLUSIONS: TME offers good oncological and functional results with low complication rates for the treatment of cancer in the middle and upper third of the rectum.Interdisciplinary multicenter studies are still necessary to redefine the place of adjuvant radiation and chemotherapy in cases of cancer in the lower two thirds of the rectum and stage III disease.     

Extending the horizons of restorative rectal surgery: intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer

Objective Radical resection of tumours of the distal rectum has generally entailed an abdominoperineal excision, but the recognition of shorter safe distal resection margins, neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and the application of the technique of intersphincteric resection (ISR) have led to the prospect of restorative surgery for patients with distally situated tumours. The present study examines the indications, techniques and outcomes following ISR. Method A literature search was performed to identify studies reporting outcomes following ISR for low rectal cancer. The outcomes of interest included short‐term adverse events, functional and manometric results, postoperative quality of life and oncologic outcomes. Results Twenty‐one studies reflecting the experience of 13 units and 612 patients were included. Operative mortality following ISR was 1.6% (inter‐unit range 0–5%) and anastomotic leak rate 10.5% (inter‐unit range 0–48.4%). The pooled rate of local recurrence was 9.5% (range 0–31% between units) with an average 5‐year survival of 81.5%. Most studies recorded a significant reduction in resting anal pressure but not squeeze pressure following surgery, but urgency was reported in up to 58.8% of patients. Functional outcomes and quality of life may be improved using colonic j‐pouch reconstruction. The use of chemoradiotherapy can offer benefits in terms of oncologic result, but at the cost of worse functional outcomes. Conclusion Careful case selection and counselling is required if satisfactory results are to be achieved following ISR for low rectal cancers. In selected patients, however, the technique offers sphincter preserving surgery with acceptable oncologic and functional results.     

Long term results of a consistent policy of sphincter preservation in the treatment of carcinoma of the rectum

With increasing emphasis on sphincter preservation in the treatment of low carcinomas of the rectum, it is important to know whether such a policy results in satisfactory rectal function and long term survival. In 368 patients operated upon for carcinoma of the rectum between 1958 and 1980, a consistent policy of sphincter preservation was followed, and resulted in 222 (61 per cent) patients having a restorative resection (RR), whilst 132 (37 per cent) had an abdominoperineal excision (APE); 271 (76 per cent) had a radical operation with a hope of cure. Overall operative mortality was 5 per cent (2.6 per cent in the radical group) and the leakage rate in the 222 restorative anastomoses was 5 per cent. Follow-up of 98 per cent of patients treated over 5 years ago has been possible. Special attention has been paid to the late results in patients having a restorative resection of tumours at and below 8 cm: all these patients are continent and there is no excess of late pelvic recurrent. Corrected 5-year survival rates are 72 per cent for abdominoperineal excision and 84 per cent for restorative resection.     

Importance of rectal extirpation for the therapy concept of low rectal cancers]

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.     

Local recurrence following surgical treatment for carcinoma of the lower rectum

BACKGROUND: The present paper examines the local recurrence rate following surgical treatment for carcinoma of the lower rectum with principally blunt dissection directed at tumour-specific mesorectal excision (including total mesorectal excision when appropriate). METHODS: During the period April 1987-December 1999, 123 consecutive resections for carcinoma of the middle and distal thirds of the rectum were performed. The patients had low anterior resection, ultra low anterior resection or abdomino-perineal resection. Ninety-six eligible patients underwent curative resection. The mean follow-up period was 66.8 months +/-44.3 (range 3-176 months). Data were available on all patients having been prospectively registered and retrospectively collated and computer coded. RESULTS: The overall rate of local recurrence was 5.2% (four recurrences following ultra low anterior resection and one following abdomino-perineal resection. No local recurrence occurred after low anterior resections.). Local recurrences occurred between 16 and 52 months from the time of resection, and the cumulative risk of developing local recurrence at 5 years for all patients was 7.6%. The overall 5-year cancer specific survival of the 96 patients was 80.8%, and the overall probability of being disease free at 5 years, including both local and distal recurrence, was 71.8%. CONCLUSION: The results of the present series confirm the safety of careful blunt techniques combined with sharp dissection for rectal mobilization along fascial planes resulting in extraction of an oncologic package with tumour-specific mesorectal excision (or total mesorectal excision when appropriate).     

直肠癌保留肛门括约肌手术适应证的选择及预后分析

目的探讨直肠癌保留肛门括约肌(sphincterpreservationoperation,SPO)手术选择标准,分析影响直肠癌保肛术适应证选择的因素。方法回顾性分析1994年4月至2004年4月间,手术治疗708例直肠癌患者的临床资料,对SPO术与经腹会阴切除手术(abdominoperinealresection,APR)两组患者的临床病理指标和生存率进行统计学比较。结果本组直肠乙状结肠交界段癌66例;直肠上段癌138例;直肠中段癌195例;直肠下段癌309例。APR术227例;SPO手术481例,其中Dixon手术449例,拖出保肛手术12例,“J”Poch20例。SPO和APR术两组患者在性别、年龄、肝脏转移、肿瘤长径、浸润深度、Dukes分期等方面比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);但在有无合并低位肠梗阻、癌肿部位、组织学分化程度、侵犯周径、淋巴结转移及根治程度方面比较,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。全组根治性切除660例(93.2%)。SPO术保肛率66.7%(311/481),其中低位直肠癌43.7%(135/309)。手术死亡率0.4%(3/708);术后局部复发率5.5%(39/708)。SPO组中位生存时间(65.0±6.9)个月,5年生存率59.3%;APR组中位生存时间(42.2±5.6)个月,5年生存率42.3%;两组比较P<0.01。结论直肠癌患者在确保根治前提下应首选SPO术,低位直肠癌患者根据肿瘤部位、分化程度、淋巴结转移状况及手术者经验选择SPO适应证应是可行的。     

Laparoscopic rectal resection with anal sphincter preservation for rectal cancer

Background Total mesorectal excision (TME) is the surgical gold standard treatment for middle and low third rectal carcinoma. Laparoscopy has gradually become accepted for the treatment of colorectal malignancy after a long period of questions regarding its safety. The purposes of this study were to examine prospectively our experience with laparoscopic TME and high rectal resections, to evaluate the surgical outcomes and oncologic adequacy, and to discuss the role of this procedure in the treatment of rectal cancer. Methods Between December 1992 and December 2004, all patients who underwent elective laparoscopic sphincter preserving rectal resection for rectal cancer were enrolled prospectively in this study. Data collection included preoperative, operative, postoperative and oncologic results with long-term follow-up. Results A total of 218 patients were operated on during the study period: 142 patients underwent laparoscopic TME and 76 patients underwent anterior resection. Of the TME patients, 122 patients were operated using the double-stapling technique, and 20 patients underwent colo-anal anastomosis with hand-sewn sutures. Mean operative time was 138 min (range, 107–205), and mean blood loss was 120 ml (range, 30–350). Conversion to open surgery occurred in 26 cases (12%). Mortality rate during the first 30 days was 1%. Anastomotic leaks were observed in 10.5% of the patients. Of these, 61.9% needed reoperation and diverting stoma, and the rest were treated conservatively. Three patients had postoperative bleeding requiring relaparoscopy. Other minor complications (infection and urinary retention) occurred in 9.1% of patients. Mean ambulation time and mean hospital stay were 1.6 days (range, 1–5) and 6.4 days (range, 3–28) , respectively. Patients were followed for a mean period of 57 months. No port site metastases were observed during follow-up. The recurrence rate was 6.8 %. Overall survival rate was 67% after 5 years and 53.5% after 10 years. Conclusion Laparoscopic anterior resection and TME with anal sphincter preservation for rectal cancer is feasible and safe. The short- and long-term outcomes reported in this series are comparable with those of conventional surgery.