Permanent diversion rates after neoadjuvant therapy and coloanal anastomosis for rectal cancer.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to assess the rate of permanent diversion in patients undergoing coloanal anastomosis after neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective review of patients with rectal cancer who underwent a total mesorectal excision of a tumor within 9 cm of the anal verge.


RESULTS
There were 201 patients who underwent resection with coloanal anastomosis, with a mean follow-up period of 51 months. The average tumor distance from the anal verge was 7 cm (range, 4-9 cm). Neoadjuvant therapy was administrated in 145 patients, 47 had no radiation, and 9 received radiation postoperatively. Thirty-two patients (16%) had long-term complications including incontinence, fistulas, and strictures. Twenty-five patients (12%) had recurrent disease, 16 of these were local recurrence. The total rate of permanent diversion was 29 (14%). Reasons for diversion included local recurrence in 12 patients (6%), complications in 10 patients (5%), and poor function in 7 patients (3%).


CONCLUSIONS
Poor bowel function, late complications, and local recurrence all contribute to permanent diversion after a coloanal anastomosis. Neoadjuvant therapy in conjunction with a total mesorectal excision and coloanal anastomosis leads to acceptably low permanent diversion rates in the vast majority of patients.
Nelson
R Scott
RS
Colon and Rectal Surgery, Creighton University Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA.
Boland
Elena
E
Ewing
B Mark
BM
Blatchford
Garnet J
GJ
Ternent
Charles
C
Shashidharan
M
M
Tran
N Anh
NA
Beaty
Jennifer
J
Thorson
Alan G
AG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult