Objective: To investigate the prognostic significance of surgical approach selection in patients with rectal cancer.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of the relation of surgical approach selection to the prognosis was conducted in 112 cases of rectal cancer between July 2000 to June 2002.
Results: In this group of cases, local resection of the tumor was performed in 10 cases, Dixon operation in 75 cases and Miles operation in 27 cases. A total of 106 patients survived the operations with 10 had tumor recurrence (a recurrence rate of 8.93 %). All the 10 patients receiving local resection of the tumor survived without episodes of tumor recurrence or metastasis. After the operations, 101 patients (90.18 %) retained normal sexual function and 109 (97.32 %) were with normal urinary function.
Conclusion: The postoperative quality of life of the patients with rectal cancer very much relies on the selection of adequate surgical procedures.