173. A randomized multicenter trial to compare functional outcome and complications of surgical procedures for low rectal cancers

Abstract

Background. The outcomes after different low rectal resection types applied for rectal cancer treatment are still uncertain. The aim of the investigation was to evaluate long-term functional results, the rate of complications and post-operative lethality after rectum low resection operations (connection with J-pouch group: coloplasty – group 2 and “straight” anastomosis – group 3).Patients and methods. In 2003, a randomized study was started and completed on December 2007. The study included 82 patients (38 females and 44 males). The patients were randomized into three groups. They were suffering from cancer stage I–III.Results. There were no postoperative deaths after 82 resections with total me-sorectal excision (TME) and low connection. The overall rate of postoperative compli-cations was 28%, and the rate of anastomosis suture leakage was 11%. The rate of post-operative complications was 20.7% (6 patients) in group 1, 28.6% (6 patients) in group 2, 34.3% (11 patients) in group 3. The rate of complications was substantially higher in groups 2 and 3; however, this difference was statistically not significant (p = 0.2636). The functional results after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months showed no statistical difference among the groups; moreover functional results after 24months in all groups were similar (p = 0.046). Anastomosis with or without pouch does not influence postoperative le-thality. The incidence of complications and suture leakage is higher in cases of straight anastomosis; however, this finding is not statistically significant. Necrosis was observed only in patients for whom anastomosis with pouches was performed.Conclusion. Comparison of functional results after 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24months sho -wed no statistically significant differences among the groups.The necrosis of pulled-down bowel was observed only in the pouch groups.Key words: rectal cancer, anastomosis, J-pouch, coloplasty, functional results