Subspecialisation and its effect on the management of rectal cancer

To assess the impact of subspecialisation on surgical and oncological outcomes after rectal cancer surgery in a single surgical unit within a district general hospital.

A total of 207 patients with rectal cancer treated surgically by two colorectal surgeons and four experienced general surgeons at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading, England between January 1995 and December 1999 were studied. A retrospective case-note review of each patient's personal details, operative and histological findings, their subsequent clinical progress and oncological outcomes, including 5-year survival were recorded.

In the study group, 127 patients were treated by a colorectal surgeon and 80 by general surgeons. Pre-operative radiotherapy was more likely to be given to patients treated by a colorectal surgeon. Fewer permanent stomas were performed by colorectal surgeons. Postoperative morbidity, transfusion requirements, anastomotic leak rates and 30-day mortality were not significantly different. Tumour-involved circumferential resection margins, local recurrence rates and risk of distant metastases were similar between the two groups of surgeons.

Colorectal subspecialisation has resulted in an increased use of pre-operative radiotherapy and fewer permanent stomas. No significant improvement in surgical or oncological outcomes after rectal cancer surgery have been observed.