Evaluation of anal function after surgery for rectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Sphincter-saving surgical procedures for rectal cancer have been legitimized if executed respecting the criteria of oncological radicalness. Our objective was to evaluate anal sphincteric continence after rectal cancer surgery.


METHODS
A detailed questionnaire regarding continence was administered to 3 groups of patients. Group 1 was composed of 9 patients treated with a higher (>4 cm), stapled colorectal anastomosis; the 9 group 2 patients were treated with a low (< or =4 cm), stapled colorectal anastomosis; the 9 group 3 patients underwent coloanal anastomosis.


RESULTS
The results were evaluated about 3 years after surgery. Continence was excellent in group 1 and very good in group 2. However, in group 3, we observed diminished gas/feces discrimination, reduced ability to postpone evacuation, and increased soiling and perianal rash.


CONCLUSIONS
Anal sphincteric continence was better after surgery with a high or low colorectal anastomosis than after coloanal anastomosis.
Di Matteo
G
G
Third Surgical Department, "La Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy. dimatteog@uniroma1.it
Mascagni
D
D
Zeri
K P
KP
Torretta
A
A
Di Matteo
F M
FM
Maturo
A
A
Peparini
N
N
D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery*; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery; D013537:Sutures