Necessary circumferential resection margins to prevent rectal cancer relapse after abdomino-peranal...

The purpose of this study was to determine the adequate circumferential resection margin (CRM) for abdomino-peranal (intersphincteric) resection (ISR) that would prevent the relapse of rectal cancers.

The records of 41 cases that underwent curative ISR for rectal cancer were retrospectively reviewed. The relapse-free survival rates and overall survival rates were evaluated and correlated with the maximum depth of the inner muscularis layer reached during ISR (i.e., the radial margin [RM] and distal margin [DM]). Cases were divided into three groups based on the sizes of the RM and DM: (1) group A (RM >2 mm and DM >1.5 cm), (2) group B (RM >2 mm or DM >1.5 cm but not both), and (3) group C (RM <2 mm and DM <1.5 cm).

The relapse-free survival rates of the cases in group C were lower than those in the cases of group A or group B (p = 0.002 and 0.037, respectively). The resection margins required to prevent rectal cancer relapse were >2 mm for the RM and >1.5 cm for the DM. For these margins, the intersphincteric space had to be entered (i.e., between the internal and external anal sphincters).

It is critical to enter the intersphincteric space to ensure an adequate CRM (RM >2 mm and DM >1.5 cm) for preventing rectal cancer recurrence after ISR.