Purpose: The introductions of total mesorectal excision and double-stapling technique into colorectal surgery have promoted the clinical application of sphincter preservation. However, for the tumors localized on the middle or lower level of rectum, sphincter-preservation approaches might be problematic in some patients. We introduce in this report a new sphincter-preserving technique for low rectal cancer.
Methods: Between August 1999 and May 2004, 310 patients underwent ultralow anterior resection and colorectal/coloanal anastomosis by supporting bundling-up method for low rectal cancer localized in the lower third of rectum. Postoperative evaluation included anal function, anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stenosis, cumulative survival rate, and local recurrence.
Results: Three hundred ten patients received the sphincter-preserving operation without severe intraoperative complications. One patient died of lung dysfunction (0.3%). All patients had satisfactory anal function without soiling. The median follow-up was 84 months (9-136 months) and overall survival rate was 97.0% at 1 year, 73.5% at 3 years, and 66% at 5 years. Thirty-six patients (11.6%) patients developed local recurrence. Postoperative complications included anastomotic leakage (1.6%), anastomotic stenosis (2.5%), and local and distant recurrence (11.6% and 18.4%, respectively).
Conclusions: Ultralow anterior resection and colorectal/coloanal anastomosis by supporting bundling-up method may be one of the best choices of sphincter-preserving operation for low rectal cancer.