Functional outcome after coloanal anastomosis with J-colonic pouch for rectal cancer

This study was designed to determine functional outcomes of restorative resections for carcinoma of the rectum. Between 1992 and 1995, 16 patients (8 male) of median age 75 (range 58-88) years underwent resection and coloanal anastomosis with J-colonic pouch reconstruction for rectal cancer. The distance of the lower border of tumor from the anal verge was 5 cm in 7 patients (43.70-0), 6 to 7 cm in 6 patients (37.0%) and 8 to 10 cm in 3 patients (18.7%). The Dukes staging was A in 4 patients (25%), B in 8 patients (50%) and C in 4 patients (25%). Coloanal anastomosis was performed by hand in 4 patients (25%) or with stapler in 12 patients (75%). Seven patients (43.7%) had diverting stoma. No patient died following surgery. Pelvic sepsis and anastomotic dehiscence that required pouch excision occurred in two patients (12.5%). Fourteen patients were evaluated. The mean follow-up was 15 (range 5-23) months. No patient developed recurrent pelvic tumor. Satisfactory fecal continence was achieved by 85.7% of patients. Stool frequency was 1-2 per day in 12 patients (85.7%). Three patients (21.4%) had minor soiling. Five patients (35.7%) occasionally complained urgency. There was no apparent difference between the patients with manual or stapled coloanal anastomosis. Coloanal anastomosis with J-colonic pouch is associated with an excellent long-term outcome.