[Nerve-preserving operations in surgery of rectal cancer]

Forty-eight patients underwent surgery for rectal cancer. In all the patients total mesorectumectomy was combined with one of the types of nerves-preserving surgeries. Three groups were divided depending on types of this surgery: 1-- complete preservation of elements of autonomic nervous system (n=31), 2 -- partial preservation (n=16), 3 -- complete ablation (n=1). In 30 patients of group 1 normal urination recovered on postoperative day 2 to 4. In 2 patients of group 2 stable atony of urinary bladder was seen, and in 2 patients -- reflex ischuria. In patient of group 3 normal urination recovered on day 14 after surgery without vesical tenesmus. Long-term results were assessed in 1 to 12 months. No recurrences occurred. It is concluded that nerve-preserving surgeries improve functional results without loss of oncological radicalism.