Low anterior resection for rectal cancer: technique and results

The records of 113 consecutive patients who underwent low anterior resection for rectal cancer are reviewed. The patients with a single-layer anastomosis appeared relatively free of complications. The two-layer technique resulted in a 4.4 percent incidence of anastomotic problems. In this limited study, cancers less than 12 cm above the anus, especially those in the Dukes' C category, were more apt to show recurrent or residual tumor. The excessive residual tumor rate of 13 percent in this study indicates that the Miles' resection should have been used more frequently. The distance of normal bowel transected below the lesion was not the only factor in prognosis. The 5 year survival rate of 60 percent should be improved.