Hand-sewn Coloanal Anastomosis Research Articles

Long-Term Results of 2-Stage Turnbull-Cutait Pull-Through Coloanal Anastomosis for Low Rectal Cancer

In patients operated on for low rectal cancer, 2-stage Turnbull-Cutait pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis provides benefits in terms of postoperative morbidity compared with standard hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis associated with diverting ileostomy and further ileostomy reversal. To compare long-term results of these 2 techniques after ultralow rectal resection for rectal cancer. In this randomized multicenter clinical trial, neither patients nor surgeons were blinded for technique. Patients were recruited in 3 centers. Patients undergoing ultralow anterior rectal resection needing hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis were randomly assigned to 2-stage Turnbull-Cutait pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis (n = 46) or standard hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis associated with diverting ileostomy (n = 46). All patients underwent ultralow anterior resection. Patients assigned to the 2-stage Turnbull-Cutait pull-through group underwent exteriorization of a segment of left colon through the anal canal. After 6 to 10 days, the exteriorized colon was resected and a delayed hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis performed. For patients assigned to standard coloanal anastomosis, the hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis was performed with diverting ileostomy during the first operation. Ileostomy closure was scheduled after adjuvant treatment was completed in about 6 to 8 months. The study aimed to compare the differences between the 2 groups in terms of long-term surgery-related morbidity, functional, and oncological outcomes at 3 years postoperatively. Data were analyzed from October 1, 2018, through October 31, 2021. The 92 patients randomized in the first study were included for the 3-year follow-up. The overall morbidity rate in the 2 groups showed that 15 patients (16.3%) had complications with a difference of 6.52 (95% CI, -8.93 to 21.79). Nine patients (19.6%) and 6 patients (13.0%) in the 2-stage Turnbull-Cutait pull-through group and hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis group, respectively, had complications without statistically significant differences (P = .57). Oncological results were comparable between the groups. Long-term fecal continence in the CCA and TCA groups, respectively, assessed using the Wexner Incontinence Score was 10.9 (5.50-15.5) vs 13.0 (7.25-16.0; P = .92), Low Anterior Resection Syndrome score was 32.0 (21.0-37.0) vs 34.0 (23.2-38.5; P = .76), and Colorectal Functional Outcome score was 38.5 (23.0-47.1) vs 40.8 (23.3-58.2; P = .30). In this study, after a 3-year follow-up period, 2-stage Turnbull-Cutait anastomosis for ultralow rectal cancer could be considered as a surgical alternative that has the valuable benefit of avoiding a temporary stoma with similar results in terms of morbidity, fecal continence, patient satisfaction, quality of life, and oncological outcomes when compared with hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis with ileostomy. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01766661.

IDEAL Stage 2a/b prospective cohort study of transanal transection and single-stapled anastomosis for rectal cancer.

There are several anastomotic techniques available to facilitate restorative rectal cancer surgery after total mesorectal excision (TME), including double-stapled anastomosis (DST) and handsewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA). However, to date no one technique is superior with regard to anastomotic leakage (AL) or functional outcomes. Transanal transection single-stapled anastomosis (TTSS) aims to overcome some of the technical challenges and offer comparable clinical and functional outcomes to traditional anastomotic techniques. The aim of this study was to explore the role of TTSS in modern rectal cancer surgery and to provide comparative clinical and functional outcome data with DST and CAA. A prospective cohort study was undertaken to assess the safety and clinical and patient-reported outcomes associated with the TTSS procedure. All patients undergoing sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer with an anastomosis performed within 6 cm of the anal verge between January 2016 and April 2021 were prospectively enrolled into this study. Clinical and patient-reported outcome data, including low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) assessment, were collected. The primary endpoint was anastomotic leakage within 30 days. A total of 275 patients participated in this study, with 70 (25%) patients undergoing a TTSS, 110 (40%) undergoing a DST and 95 (35%) undergoing a CAA. Patients undergoing a CAA had more distal tumours than those having a TTSS or DST, with a median tumour height of 5, 7 and 9 cm (p < 0.001), respectively. We observed a statistically significant reduction in AL in the TTSS group compared with the DST group, with rates of 8.6% versus 20.9% (p = 0.028). There was no difference in LARS scores between patients undergoing TTSS and DST (p = 0.228), while patients with a CAA had worse LARS scores than TTSS patients (p = 0.002). TTSS is a technically safe and feasible anastomotic technique in rectal cancer surgery as an alternative to DST and CAA. Its advantages over DST are a reduced AL rate and, over CAA, improved function. It should therefore be considered as an alternative technique to improve clinical and patient-reported outcomes in restorative rectal cancer surgery.

Can the Single-stapling Technique Following Intersphincteric Resection with Transanal Total Mesorectal Excision Become the New Standard Anastomosis?

For transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME), the indication for single-stapling technique (SST) has been expanded to include lower anastomosis, even in intersphincteric resection (ISR). We focused on the anastomotic techniques following ISR with TaTME and examined the feasibility and safety of the SST below the anorectal junction (ARJ). Data on postoperative anastomosis-related complications and anorectal function was evaluated in comparison to conventional manual hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis in ISR with TaTME. We examined patients with 3-6 cm tumors from the anal verge who underwent ISR with TaTME between January 2018 and March 2020, and whose anastomotic line was located below the ARJ. Postoperative short-term outcomes and anorectal functions were compared. We also analyzed the effects of various factors on major low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) using multivariate logistic regression analysis. In total, 87 patients-48 in the hand-sewn anastomosis group and 39 in the SST group-were included in this study. SST below the ARJ in ISR with TaTME did not exacerbate surgical outcomes, including anastomosis-related complications. The SST group had a significantly lower LARS score as compared to the hand-sewn anastomosis group, and the proportion of major LARS was significantly lower. Only hand-sewn anastomosis was identified as a statistically significant independent risk factor for major LARS. In TaTME, SST below the ARJ was safe and feasible and had a lower negative impact on postoperative anastomosis-related complications and anorectal function as compared to hand-sewn anastomosis. Thus, SST is a promising anastomotic option for patients with low-lying rectal tumors.

The failed colorectal anastomosis: Turnbull–Cutait as a salvage option

The incidence of colorectal anastomotic leaks is approximately 5–19 % of cases, posing a threat to intestinal continuity, particularly if the leak arises after a low or ultra-low colorectal anastomosis. A Turnbull–Cutait procedure can be a salvage option for such patients and they may be eligible if they are adequate redo pelvic surgery candidates, who are motivated to regain intestinal continuity, and who have good continence and anal function at baseline. The first stage of the procedure is colonic mobilization and pull-through after perineal division at the top of the anorectal complex and mucosectomy. A diverting loop ileostomy is utilized. The second stage is amputation of the excess colon and creation of a hand-sewn colo-anal anastomosis, typically performed 7 days later. Outcomes after a Turnbull–Cutait procedure are reasonable based on a series from specialized centers with 80–90 % of patients having a complete Turnbull–Cutait and reversal of the diverting ileostomy. Low anterior resection syndrome is common. In the long-term, studies show that just over half of patients will remain stoma free at 5 years; fecal incontinence is the main reason for failure and return to a stoma. The prospect of a Turnbull–Cutait can be kept in mind when addressing an anastomotic leak in appropriate patients; this may allow for surgical decision-making that makes it feasible to utilize a Turnbull–Cutait in the future.

Modified pull-through coloanal anastomosis to avoid permanent stomas and reduce postoperative complications for lower rectal tumors.

We performed pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis immediately after sphincter-preserving ultralow anterior resection (ULAR) [pull-through ultra (PTU)] to avoid permanent stoma and reduce postoperative complications of lower rectal tumors. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of PTU versus non-PTU (stapled or hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis with diverting stoma) after sphincter-preserving ULAR for lower rectal tumors. This retrospective cohort study analyzed prospectively maintained data from 100 consecutive patients who underwent PTU (n = 29) or non-PTU (n = 71) after sphincter-preserving ULAR for rectal tumors between January 2011 and March 2023. In PTU, hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis was immediately performed using 16 stitches of 4-0 monofilament suture during primary surgery. The clinical outcomes were assessed. The primary outcomes were rates of permanent stomas and overall postoperative complications. The PTU group was significantly less likely to require a permanent stoma than the non-PTU group (P < 0.01). None of the patients in the PTU group required permanent stoma and the rate of overall complications was significantly lower in the PTU group (P = 0.01). The median operative time was comparable between the two groups (P = 0.33) but the median operative time during the second stage was significantly shorter in the PTU group (P < 0.01). The rates of anastomotic leakage and complications of Clavien-Dindo grade III were comparable between the two groups. Diverting ileostomy was performed in two patients with an anastomotic leak in the PTU group. The PTU group was significantly less likely to require a diverting ileostomy than those in the non-PTU group (P < 0.01). The composite length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the PTU group (P < 0.01). PTU via immediate coloanal anastomosis for lower rectal tumors is a safe alternative to the current sphincter-preserving ULAR with diverting ileostomy for patients who wish to avoid a stoma.

How to perform an anastomosis following a low anterior resection by transanal total mesorectal excision surgery: from top to bottom techniques.

The aim was to describe the range of possibilities and our group's clinical outcomes when performing different types of anastomosis during transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME). A retrospective analysis was performed based on four taTME series from 2016 to 2021. Inclusion criteria were patients with rectal cancer in whom a sphincter-saving low anterior resection by taTME was performed. Four different techniques were employed for the anastomosis construction: (A) abdominal view, (B) transanal view, (C) hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis and (D) pull-through. Intra-operative and postoperative data were collected and compared. A total of 161 patients were included. Tumour height was lower in groups C and D (4 [3-5] vs. 7 [6-8] group A vs. 6 [5-7] group B, P=0.000), requiring a hand-sewn anastomosis. A transanal extraction of the specimen was more commonly performed in groups C and D (over 60% vs. 30% in groups A and B, P=0.000). The rate of temporary stoma was similar between groups A, B and C (ranging from 84% to 98%) but was significantly lower in group D (P=0.000). The overall rate of complications was similar between groups; however, group D had longer length of stay (15days vs. 5-6 in groups A, B and C, P=0.026). Every type of anastomosis construction after a taTME procedure seems to be safe and feasible and should be chosen based on surgeon's experience, tumour height and the length of the rectal cuff after the rectal transection. Colorectal surgeons should be familiar with these techniques in order to choose the one that benefits each patient the most.

Transanal total mesorectal excision and transabdominal robotic surgery for rectal cancer: A retrospective study

BackgroundTransabdominal robotic surgery and transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) are newly introduced strategies for rectal cancer. These procedures might have many advantages in rectal cancer treatment in terms of improving oncological and functional outcomes, especially in cases involving advanced cancer or technical difficulty. In the present study, we aimed to clarify the advantages and disadvantages of transabdominal robotic surgery and laparoscopic TaTME as a hybrid surgery for rectal cancer. Materials and methodsWe retrospectively evaluated six patients who underwent hybrid surgery for rectal cancer from August 2018 to April 2020. Both clinical and pathological outcomes were assessed. ResultsTwo patients showed circumferential margin involvement both before and after neoadjuvant therapy. Three patients were planned to undergo hybrid surgery with intersphincteric resection because of a narrow pelvis. One patient was planned to undergo hybrid surgery for a giant tumor of >10 cm. The median length of hospitalization was 17 days. No patients required conversion to an open procedure. All patients underwent formation of defunctioning ileostomies. Two patients had a stapled anastomosis and four had a hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis. Complications included one case of anastomotic leakage, which was managed conservatively with ultrasound- and computed tomography-guided drainage and antibiotics. Histological analysis revealed that all specimens had a negative radial margin and distal margin. The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 17.5. Two patients showed extensive lymph node metastases, including lateral node metastasis. ConclusionHybrid surgery was performed safely and may improve oncological outcomes for rectal cancer. This technique has many potential benefits and would be alternative option in multimodal strategies for rectal cancer.

SP rTaTME: initial clinical experience with single-port robotic transanal total mesorectal excision (SP rTaTME)

The technical difficulty and steep learning curve of transanal total mesorectal excision (taTME) has limited widespread adoption. The single-port (SP) daVinci robot is designed to facilitate single-incision and natural-orifice transluminal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). This paper describes the first clinical experience of single-port robotic taTME (SP rTaTME). This was a prospective study on consecutive patients with rectal cancer who underwent SP rTaTME proctosigmoidectomy with handsewn coloanal anastomosis in December 2018 and January 2019. The primary outcome was technical feasibility of the procedure. The secondary outcomes include blood loss, intraoperative complications, length of hospital stay, quality of the TME specimen, short- and long-term morbidity and mortality, as well as short-term oncologic follow -up. There were two patients, a 48-year-old male and a 38-year-old female. Both operations were completed successfully without complications or conversion. Estimated blood loss was 200mL and 130mL. In both cases the TME was completed transanally using the SP robot. In the first patient, the abdominal portion was completed through an abdominal single-incision; in the second patient the operation was entirely performed transanally as a pure NOTES procedure. In both cases, the final pathology report showed a complete TME with negative margins. Patients were discharged on postoperative day 3 and 4,respectively. There was no long-term morbidity or mortality. SP rTaTME is feasible and can be safely performed. It provides excellent optics and dexterity to work in a limited space. Future studies are required to further define the safety profile and the ultimate utility of the SP robot for taTME.

Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis in the treatment of low rectal cancer: 10-year experience

Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis in the treatment of low rectal cancer: 10-year experience

Risk factors for anastomotic leakage and stricture following rectal cancer surgery: A retrospective cohort study

Aim: Anastomotic problems including anastomotic leakage and stricture following rectal cancer surgery are complications with indefinite risk factors. It was aimed to evaluate preoperative and postoperative risk factors for anastomotic leakage and stricture in patients who underwent rectal cancer surgery.Materials and Methods: Patients who underwent surgical treatment after neoadjuvant treatment for middle and distal rectal tumors were retrospectively analyzed between January 2016 and September 2019. All consecutive patients who were older than 18 years and treated via low anterior resection with colorectal anastomosis or intersphincteric resection with coloanal anastomosis with diverting ileostomy were included. Patients with and without any anastomotic complications were grouped as Group 1 and 2, respectively. Subgroup analysis based on anastomotic leakage and stricture was also performed. Results: There were 62 patients with a mean age of 60.5±12.2 years. Anastomotic complications occurred in 11 patients (17.7%). There were seven (11.3%) anastomotic leakage and six (9.7%) anastomotic stricture. Male patients were significantly higher in Group 1 (p=0.018). Anastomotic leakage was seen more commonly in male patients (p=0.035). Intersphincteric resection with hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis and the diameter of the tumor was significantly associated with anastomotic leakage (p=0.002 and p=0.004, respectively). Multivariate analysis revealed that male sex for the development of any anastomotic complication, and handsewn coloanal anastomosis, and tumor diameter for anastomotic leakage were independent risk factors. Conclusion: Male sex, intersphincteric resection with coloanal anastomosis, and diameter of tumor can be significant risk factors for the development of any anastomotic complication including anastomotic leakage following rectal cancer surgery.

Robotic neo‐rectopexy: a technique for repair of neo‐rectal prolapse following transanal total mesorectal excision – a video vignette

As TaTME is gaining popularity for the treatment of low rectal cancers, certain complications are becoming more prevalent. A unique complication is neo-rectal prolapse, which can lead to a significantly poor quality of life (1). We present the case of a 48 year-old male with invasive rectal adenocarcinoma (T3N0) who received neoadjuvant chemoradiation and subsequently underwent a robotic low anterior resection and transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) with a handsewn coloanal anastomosis and a diverting loop ileostomy.

Hybrid Robotic Transanal Minimally Invasive Surgery Approach to Large and Low-Lying Rectal Polyps.

Transanal excision is the surgical treatment of choice for low-risk rectal pathology such as endoscopically unresectable polyps, very select early rectal cancers, as well as other benign and low-risk tumors. Robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery enhances the surgeon's ability to work in the confined space of the rectum and helps overcome the limitations of other modalities for transanal excision. Large lesions that extend to the dentate line and cannot be excised transanally impart a particular challenge. Herein, we describe a hybrid robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery approach for excising large rectal lesions that extend to the dentate line and cannot be excised by utilizing traditional transanal techniques. With the use of a standard transanal approach, the distal margin of the lesion is marked and lifted off of the internal sphincter muscle. The dissection is continued until above the anorectal ring, and a 5.5-cm transanal platform is introduced transanally. Insufflation with an 8-mm trocar is initiated and the robotic platform is docked transanally. A 1-cm circumferential proximal margin is marked, and the excision is continued robotically until en bloc resection of the lesion is completed. The defect is closed in a transverse fashion using barbed suture. For rare cases of circumferential or nearly circumferential full-thickness defects, interrupted barbed sutures are placed equidistant, the robot is undocked, the transanal platform is removed, and a handsewn coloanal anastomosis is performed allowing complete closure of the defect. A hybrid robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery approach to large and low-lying rectal lesions is feasible and safe, and it has advantages over standard transanal excision including enhanced ergonomics, dexterity, and optics, as well as reduced rates of specimen fragmentation. A hybrid robotic transanal minimally invasive surgery approach allows for complete resection of very large polyps, which would otherwise be extremely challenging with standard transanal approaches. See Video at http://links.lww.com/DCR/B231.

Two-Stage Turnbull-Cutait Pull-Through Coloanal Anastomosis for Low Rectal Cancer

Two-stage Turnbull-Cutait pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis seems to provide benefits in terms of postoperative morbidity compared with standard hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis associated with diverting ileostomy and further ileostomy reversal in patients operated on for low rectal cancer. To compare 30-day postoperative and 1-year follow-up results of Turnbull-Cutait pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis and standard hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis after ultralow rectal resection for rectal cancer. Multicenter randomized clinical trial. Neither patients nor surgeons were blinded for technique. Patients were recruited in 3 centers, Bellvitge University Hospital and Valle d'Hebron University Hospital in Spain and Instituto Nazionale Tumori Fondazione G. Pascale-Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico in Italy. Patients undergoing ultralow anterior rectal resection needing hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis were randomly assigned to 2-stage Turnbull-Cutait pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis or standard hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis associated with diverting ileostomy. Data were analyzed between June 2012 and October 2018. All patients underwent ultralow anterior resection. Patients assigned to the 2-stage Turnbull-Cutait pull-through group underwent exteriorization of a segment of left colon through the anal canal and, after 6 to 10 days, the exteriorized colon was resected and a delayed hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis was performed. For patients assigned to standard coloanal anastomosis, the hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis was performed with diverting ileostomy at first operation. Closure of the ileostomy was planned after 6 to 8 months. Primary outcome was 30-day postoperative morbidity. For the standard hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis with diverting ileostomy group, overall postoperative morbidity includes 30-day postoperative complications of the ileostomy closure. Ninety-two white patients, 72 men and 20 women, with a median age of 62 years, were randomized and included in the analysis. Forty-six patients received standard hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis with diverting ileostomy and 46 received the 2-stage pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis. Seven patients (15.2%) in the standard hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis group did not undergo reversal ileostomy, and 1 patient (2.2%) in the 2-stage pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis group did not undergo delayed coloanal anastomosis. The 30-day overall composite postoperative complications rate was similar between the 2 groups (34.8% in 2-stage pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis group vs 45.7% in standard hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis group; P = .40), with a difference of -10.9 (95% CI, -29.5 to 8.9). The 2-stage pull-through hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis after ultralow anterior resection for low rectal cancer is safe and does not increase the postoperative morbidity rate compared with standard coloanal anastomosis with covering ileostomy followed by ileostomy closure. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01766661.

Total Laparoscopic Approach for Rectal Cancer Resection—a Novel Technique and Review of the Literature

The role of minimal invasive surgery is well established. As regards rectal cancers particularly low lying rectal cancer studies are still going on for safety, feasibility and duplicability. A large prospective single-institutional study aims to assess the effectiveness of our technique of laparoscopic resection of rectal cancer in terms of oncological safety, complications and long-term prognosis. Between July 2006 and June 2016, 582 patients underwent laparoscopic LAR for rectal adenocarcinoma at our centre. Routine preoperative workup was done. Patients were evaluated for complications, graded and managed as per Clavien-Dindo classification. Survival probability analysis rate calculated using Kaplan Meier method. Total number of patients included in the study were 582 (375 men and 207 women) with the average age of 65 years. Tumours located in upper, middle and lower rectum were 132, 258 and 192 patients, respectively. A total of 33 patients received chemoradiation preoperatively and 450 received chemo+/-radiation postoperatively. Laparoscopic TME was done in 381 patients. Six out of 381patients underwent low anterior resection with hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA). Average operating time, blood loss and hospital stay were 124 min, 70 ml and 5 days, respectively. Average number of lymph nodes removed was 25.4 Overall complication rate was 20.8%, i.e. 121 out of 582 patients had complications. No conversion to conventional surgery was required. The most common postoperative complication was the anastomotic leak (grade II, IIIB and IV acc. to Clavien-Dindo classification); we had 71 leaks (13.4%).After a mean follow-up of 46 months (1–128 months), tumour recurrence occurred in 39 patients of 582. Overall recurrence rate was 6.7%. Overall cancer-related survival rate was 99.3, 96.7, 90.7, 90.7 and 87.7% at 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and5th year, respectively. Five-year survival rate was 100% for stage I, 94.4% for stage II, 66.6% for stage III and 44.6% for stage IV. Laparoscopic TME technique is feasible and safe. With the development of improved technique, devices and expertise, laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer should be a standard method. Our results when compared with the other similar studies on laparoscopic low anterior resection clearly demonstrate that laparoscopic rectal resection with our technique is not associated with higher morbidity or mortality. Oncological and surgical principles were respected, and long-term outcomes compared with the previous literature and open surgery were comparable.

Cavernous Hemangioma of Sigmoid Colon and Ano-Rectum: A Rare Cause of Haematochezia

Cavernous hemangioma of colon and rectum is a rare disease, with no more than 200 cases reported in the literature so far. The rectosigmoid is the most common site of this disease in the gastrointestinal tract. We report a case of a 32-year-old male with recurrent episodes of per-rectal bleeding, who was finally diagnosed of cavernous hemangioma of sigmoid colon and ano-rectum. The lesion, 23 cm in length, occupied the whole circumference of the sigmoid colon and rectum extending up to the margin of the anal sphincter. Ultra-low anterior resection with hand-sewn colo-anal anastomosis and temporary loop ileostomy was carried out. The patient is in regular follow up. He is now symptom free.&#x0D; Journal of Surgical Sciences (2014) Vol. 18 (2) : 83-86

Recurrence of rectal anastomotic leakage following stoma closure: assessment of risk factors.

In patients with a previous history of rectal anastomotic leakage (AL), the surgical indications and timing for closure of a diverting stoma have to be carefully judged. Even if AL has apparently healed before stoma closure, re-leakage may occur after closure. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors for recurrent AL following stoma closure. We also examined the treatment strategies aiming to minimize the risk of recurrent AL. From January 2009 to December 2016, 1008 patients underwent sphincter-saving surgery [low anterior resection, all-sphincter-preserving rectal resection with hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA) and intersphincteric resection (ISR)] for primary rectal cancer with curative intent at our hospital. A total of 69 patients with AL with a Clavien-Dindo Grade III or more who subsequently underwent closure of a diverting stoma were retrospectively reviewed for this study. The incidence of recurrent leakage after stoma closure in this series was 13% overall with an incidence of 25% in the CAA/ISR group and 5% in the low anterior resection group. Significant risk factors included hand-sewn anastomosis (P=0.0257) compared to stapled anastomosis, ischaemia at the anastomotic site as the cause of initial AL (P<0.001) and a shorter interval between confirmation of healing and stoma closure (P=0.00952). Ischaemia at the anastomotic site was the main risk factor for recurrent leakage, particularly after CAA/ISR. Additional treatment options before stoma closure should be considered to avoid re-leakage in such cases.

Ultralow Anterior Resection and Coloanal Anastomosis for Low-Lying Rectal Cancer: An Appraisal Based on Bowel Function

Backgrounds/Aims: On the basis of acceptable oncologic results, ultralow anterior resection (ULAR) and colo-anal anastomosis plus hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis have been performed for treating very low-lying rectal cancer. However, many patients experience bowel dysfunction after ULAR. Studies have provided inadequate data on bowel dysfunctions and only a few functional studies have focused on low rectal cancer. Therefore, we aimed to elucidate the severity of bowel dysfunction after ULAR in a single-surgeon cohort. Methods: In this prospective observational study, we analyzed data of 203 patients who underwent sphincter-preserving surgery for low-lying rectal cancer (tumor located within 5 cm from the anus) between January 2011 and December 2014. During routine follow-up, examinations (3–6 months interval) after ileostomy closure, patients were asked about their bowel functions based on the Wexner incontinence and LAR syndrome (LARS) scores. Patients were divided into 2 groups: LAR group (LAR with double-stapled anastomosis) and ULAR group (ULAR with coloanal anastomosis), and functional scores were compared between 6 and 36 months. Seven risk factors for major LARS were analyzed. Results: At 36 months after surgery, 94.2 and 70.6% of patients in the ULAR group still had moderate to severe incontinence and major LARS respectively. Fecal incontinence improved significantly over time (ULAR group, 14.4 vs. 7.2, p = 0.045; LAR group, 13.9 vs. 5.4, p < 0.05). However, improvement in LARS over time was observed in the LAR group only (26.5 vs. 19.7, p = 0.045). In the ULAR group, the difference did not reach a statistical significance (33.6 vs. 26.0, p = 0.10). Major LARS and moderate incontinence were significantly higher in the ULAR group than in the LAR group (70.6 vs. 47.6%, p = 0.001; 82.4 vs. 32.0%, p = 0.012 respectively). Among the 7 factors evaluated in multivariable analysis, old age (> 70), male sex, ULAR per se, and chemoradiation therapy were found to be meaningful risk factors for major LARS. Conclusion: In patients with low rectal cancers undergoing ULAR plus coloanal anastomosis, bowel dysfunctions were severe. Bowel dysfunctions improved over time, but most patients still experienced major bowel dysfunctions even 36 months after surgery. Risk factors for bowel dysfunctions were old age, male sex, adjuvant chemoradiation therapy, and ULAR. Therefore, ULAR should be performed in carefully selected patients with low-lying rectal cancer.

Sphincter-preserving surgery for recurrent pelvic malignancy using a hybrid procedure of open laparotomy and transanal endoscopic approach

BackgroundSurgery for the treatment of recurrent pelvic malignancy is challenging. Sphincter-preserving surgery (SPS) has been applied in limited cases. Transanal endoscopic approach (TEA) has been used for primary rectal cancer, predominantly for hybrid transabdominal-transanal total mesorectal excision. Here, we describe the use of TEA as a hybrid approach in a case of recurrent ovarian cancer.Case presentationA 59-year-old woman had recurrence of serous ovarian adenocarcinoma in the vaginal stump, near the site of anastomosis from a rectal resection 18 months previously. We used a hybrid approach comprising conventional open laparotomy and TEA to accomplish sphincter preservation. In addition to sphincter preservation, TEA allowed for the creation of a “terminal” space, which was made by anterior dissection between the rectum and the vagina. We employed TEA to create an opening in the scar tissue along the sacrum, which was used as a “guide” for pelvic dissection to prevent nerve injury. After exteriorization of the tumor, bowel continuity was achieved by hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis with a protective diverting ileostomy. Pathological examination revealed no involvement of the surgical margins. The diverting ileostomy was taken down 8 months postoperatively.ConclusionA hybrid approach comprising conventional open laparotomy and TEA allowed for safe and secure SPS and complete excision of a recurrent pelvic malignancy. This hybrid surgical approach expands the use of SPS in highly selected cases.

Quality of life and anterior resection syndrome after surgery for mid to low rectal cancer: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life (QoL), low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and fecal incontinence after surgery for mid to low rectal cancer and its relationship with the type of surgical procedure performed. MethodsA cross-sectional cohort survey study of 358 patients operated on for mid to low rectal cancer. Patients were included in three groups: abdominoperineal resection (APR), low mechanical colorectal anastomosis (CRA) and hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA). The QLQ-C30/CR29 questionnaires, LARS and Vaizey scores were used to study QoL and defecatory dysfunction. Multivariable analysis was used to estimate the prognostic effect of the variables on QoL and LARS scores. Results62.6% of the patients answered the survey. The global QoL score was similar among APR, CRA and CAA. Patients' body image perception was significantly worse after APR than after CRA or CAA. LARS score was better in CRA group (p = 0.002). A major LARS was observed in 83.3% of the patients who underwent CAA and in 56.6% of the patients who underwent CRA. No relationship between surgical procedures and the global QoL score was observed. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy (p = 0.048) and CAA (p = 0.005) were associated with a major LARS. The Vaizey score was higher for CAA than for CRA (p = 0.036). ConclusionsThough CAA group presents worse LARS and higher faecal incontinence scores respect CRA patients, and APR is related with a worse body image, global QoL was similar in the three groups.

Functional outcomes with handsewn versus stapled anastomoses in the treatment of ultralow rectal cancer

Adequate oncological outcomes have been demonstrated with rectal resection and handsewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA) in tumours in close proximity to the internal anal sphincter. Our aim was to assess functional differences between handsewn CAA and ultralow stapled anastomosis. Participants were identified from a single-surgeon series. Included participants underwent anorectal physiology testing of anal sphincter function, in addition to completion of several questionnaires: Wexner Incontinence Score (WIS); Birmingham Bowel, Bladder and Urinary Symptom Questionnaire (BBUSQ); Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) Score; SF36. Non-parametric data compared using the Mann–Whitney U test. 20 participants were included; 11 stapled and 9 handsewn. Mean follow-up was 2.95 ± 1.97 years. The mean LARS score was 21.9 ± 1.97 years in the stapled group versus 29.4 ± 9.57 in the handsewn group (p = 0.133). The Wexner incontinence score was significantly higher in the handsewn group (p = 0.0076), with a mean score of 4.6 ± 3.69 versus 10.9 ± 4.76. The incontinence domain of the BBUSQ was also significantly worse in patients with a handsewn anastomosis (p = 0.001). With the exception of general health (p = 0.035) and social functioning (p = 0.035), which were worse in the handsewn groups, the other six domains of the SF-36 showed no statistical difference between groups. Anorectal physiology scores were not significantly different. Handsewn CAA anastomosis is known to be safe and oncologically feasible. Patient selection should be vigorous, with preoperative counseling regarding the likelihood of incontinence to manage patients’ expectations and promote comparable quality of life in the long-term.