Truly Inevitable-Our Perspective on the Complications After Surgery for Rectal Cancer

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Oncology
• Oncology

Background:

• Rectal cancer is a prevalent gastrointestinal malignancy.
• Despite technological advancements, surgical complications remain a concern.
• There's an observed increase in rectal cancer incidence among younger individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight significant complications following rectal cancer surgery.
• To discuss management strategies for these complications.
• To analyze the incidence of complications in relation to surgical techniques and neoadjuvant therapies.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 57 rectal cancer patients operated between 2012 and 2022.
• Data collected via questionnaires.
• Evaluation of complication types including surgical site infection, low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), anastomosis leak, and stomal stenosis.

Main Results:

• 21.05% of patients experienced post-operative complications.
• Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) occurred in 26.31% of patients undergoing low anterior resection (LAR) and ultra-low anterior resection (ULAR).
• 80% of LARS cases were minor, and 80% of these patients had received neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy.

Conclusions:

• Complications are unavoidable in rectal cancer surgery, irrespective of technology.
• Sphincter preservation techniques like LAR and ULAR, especially with neoadjuvant therapy, may increase LARS incidence.
• Cautious application and careful patient selection are advised for procedures associated with anastomosis leak risk.