[Late ischemic stricture following anterior rectal resection]

Area of Science:

• Colorectal surgery
• Gastroenterology
• Oncology

Background:

• Low anterior resection (LAR) is a common surgical procedure for rectal cancer.
• Colonic strictures are a known complication following LAR.
• Distinguishing post-surgical strictures from cancer recurrence can be diagnostically challenging.

Observation:

• A case of colonic stricture presenting 5 years after oncologic LAR is described.
• The stricture was not associated with radiotherapy.
• The clinical presentation mimicked local recurrence of rectal cancer.

Findings:

• The case required a complex differential diagnosis to rule out malignancy.
• Endoscopy played a crucial role in the diagnostic workup and management.
• Benign colonic strictures can manifest significantly later than typically observed.

Implications:

• Clinicians should consider late-onset benign colonic strictures in patients with a history of LAR.
• Endoscopic evaluation is essential for accurate diagnosis and management of post-LAR colonic strictures.
• This case underscores the importance of a thorough diagnostic approach to avoid misdiagnosis of rectal cancer recurrence.