Autonomic nerve-sparing surgery combined with preoperative radio-chemotherapy in advanced lower rectal cancer patients

Since 1985, we have studied autonomic nerve-sparing surgery combined with preoperative radiochemotherapy in patients with advanced rectal cancer to preserve genitourinary function without compromising radicality. The aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative genitourinary function and prognosis. A total of 84 patients with advanced rectal cancer underwent curative surgery combined with preoperative radio-chemotherapy. Of them, 76 underwent curative nerve-sparing surgery using radiation (42.6 Gy) and tegafur suppository. Postoperative genitourinary function, survival, and pelvic recurrence were investigated in these patients. The 5-year and 10-year disease-free survival rate was 80.7%, and the pelvic recurrence rate was 7.9% in patients receiving curative nerve-sparing surgery combined with radio-chemotherapy. All of these patients could micturate spontaneously, but preservation of sexual function was not as successful. Although this combined therapy is useful for curability and good postoperative quality of life, a new approach is needed to preserve sexual function.