[Functional and oncological results of sphincter preserving rectal resection]

Most of the patients with a carcinoma of the middle and distal third of the rectum can now be operated on with a low anerior resection in consideration of all aspects of cancer surgery. Our experience with 59 resections with coloanal or low colorectal anastomosis was reviewed. The mean distance of the distal edge of the tumor to the L. anocutanea was 5.7 +/- 1.9 cm. Within the first 30 days the postoperative mortality rate was 3.4% (2/59). The most common postoperative complication was urinary retention, which affected 13.5%. The insufficiency rate of the anastomosis was 13.5%. Fecal continence was complete in 85% of the patients: we observed minor leaks in 6% and major leaks in 9%. Local recurrence occurred in 2 cases (3.8%), metastasis was noted in 6 cases (11.3%). Sphincter-preserving rectal resection is in our opinion an excellent treatment for low rectal cancer.