[Colo-anal anastomosis in tumors of the lower rectum]

The Authors report their experience about totally mechanical coloanal anastomoses. Seven patients affected by rectal cancer and submitted to proctosigmoidectomy and, following totally mechanical coloanal anastomoses as described by Goligher are taken in consideration. The distance of the neoplasm from the anal verge goes from 5 to 7 cm. Using Dukes classification 6 patients were classified in B stage, only 1 in A stage and nobody in C stage. No patient received adjuvant radiotherapy. In the patients in B stage has been performed an extended ilio-pelvic lynfoadenectomy. Particular attention was put on the complete remotion of the mesorectum. In no case has been provided with a creation of a diverting colostomy. No mortality in the post-operative period nor anastomotic leakages haven't been recorded. The follow-up goes from a minimum of 8 months to a maximum of 7 years. Have been reported 2 cases of recurrence, at pelvic level after 18 months and at empathic level after 8 months from intervention. In 6 of the 7 patients have been valued the functional results that have put in evidence a satisfying gas and fecal continence. Only during the first months following the intervention has been recorded an increasing of the number of defecation that have reduced in the long term.