Ileocecal reservoir reconstruction with physiologic function after total mesorectal cancer excision

After proctectomy for low rectal cancer and straight coloanal reconstruction, the main causes for increased daily stool frequency, urgency, and incontinence are the limited capacity and distensibility of the anastomosed colic segment in the pelvis. The authors postulated that a pedunculated (preserving the nerve) ileocecal interpositional graft (cecum-reservoir) placed between the sigmoid colon and the anal canal would greatly reduce these inconveniences.

The authors evaluated the safety, defecation quality, and anorectal physiology of such a neorectum in 20 consecutive patients with rectal carcinoma between 5 and 10 cm above the anal verge who underwent total mesorectal excision.

No perioperative morbidity related to the technique and no mortality was observed in these 20 patients. Six months after the operation, 16 patients showed excellent and 4 patients good defecation quality, with maximal tolerable volumes, compliance, and mean colonic transit times comparable to age- and gender-matched healthy volunteers. In addition, anal resting pressure was decreased, squeeze pressure was maintained, and the rectoanal inhibitory reflex remained positive in 80%.

The cecum-reservoir as a neorectum, using an intact neurovascular colonic segment, is a safe technique, providing excellent defecation quality. It enables a nearly normal physiologic anorectal function, which is already seen 6 months postoperatively.