Evaluation of physiologic function of colonic pouch anastomoses after excision for rectal cancer

Objective: To study the physiology value of colonicpouch anastomosis after rectal cancer excision. Methods:Forty-six patients with total mesonectal excision forcarcinoma were randomized to either a straight (GroupA, n=23) or a colonic pouch anastomosis (Group B,n=23). The neorectal physiologic function of patients inboth groups was evaluated, which included laboratorystudies. Results: Sphincter pressures in both groupswere similar. Preoperative compliance of the rectum wasrestored after surgery in the Group B, 0.296 (0.2240.347) L/Kpa, but there was a significant decrease aftersurgery in the Group A, 0.194 (0.112-0.235) L/KpaP<0.001. By a multiple regression analysis, neo-rectalcompliance was associated with favorable clinicalfunction, and hypermotility of the canal was associatedwith adverse clinical function. Conclusion: Colonicpouch-anastomosis restores neorectal compliance, whichis important for good function after low anteriorresection.