Functional outcomes of intersphincteric resection in low rectal tumors

Abstract

Objective: Currently, sphincter-saving procedures are increasingly performed in the treatment of low rectal cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of patients who underwent intersphincteric resection.

Material and Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, cross-sectional study. We evaluated the electronic data files of 29 patients who had intersphincteric resections at our institute between 2008 and 2018. Bowel function outcomes were assessed prospectively using Wexner incontinence score. Histopathological, surgical and functional outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Mean age of nine female and 20 male patients included in the study was 55.8 ± 12.8 (30-76) years. A tumor-free surgical margin was achieved in all patients. Anastomotic leakage was detected in two patients. Mean Wexner incontinence score of 20 patients who still had functional anastomosis was 8.35, whereas 65% of the patients (n= 13) had a good continence status. There was no relationship between the continence status and sex, tumor distance from anal verge, T stage, distal surgical margin, and lymph node involvement. Twenty-one patients underwent primary coloanal anastomosis and eight patients underwent two-stage coloanal anastomosis.

Conclusion: In the treatment of distal rectal cancer, adequate oncological surgery and relatively acceptable functional outcomes can be obtained with intersphincteric resection technique in suitable patients.

Cite this article as: Bozbıyık O, Çalışkan C, Köse Ö, Verendağ O, Göktepe B, Yoldaş T, et al. Functional outcomes of intersphincteric resection in low rectal tumors. Turk J Surg 2022; 38 (2): 180-186.

The study protocol was approved by (Ege University Medical Research Ethics Committee (Decision no: 19-7T/ 39, Date: 01/08/2019).

Externally peer-reviewed.

Concept - O.B., C.Ç., E.A., M.A.K.; Design - O.B., E.A., M.A.K.; Supervision - M.A.K., E.A., C.Ç.; Materials - O.B., T.Y., C.Ç.; Data Collection and/or Processing - T.Y., Ö.K., O.V.; Analysis and/or Interpretation - O.B., C.Ç., Ö.K.; Literature Search - T.Y., O.V., Ö.K.; Writing Manuscript - O.B., C.Ç.; Critical Reviews - C.Ç.

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

The authors declared that this study has received no financial support.

This study was presented at the 14^th Scientific and Annual Meeting of the European Society of Coloproctology in Vienna, between 25-27 September 2019.