Analysis of super-low anterior resection for rectal cancer from a single center.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome and genitourinary complications of super-low anterior resection (SLAR) followed by adjuvant radiochemotherapy in the management of patients with low rectal cancer.


METHODS
One hundred and six low rectal cancer patients managed with SLAR were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
There were seven patients who failed to follow up, and the 5-year survival rate was 65.7% (65/99). There were 35 patients (35.4%) who developed distant metastases, and 12 (12.1%) had local recurrence. The local recurrence rates were 21.1% (4/19), 7.1% (2/28), 5.9% (1/17), and 0% (0/2) in the patients with tumor distance of less than or equal to 2 cm, ranging from 2.1 to 3.0, from 3.1 to 4.0, from 4.1 to 5.0, and more than 5 cm, respectively. This implied local recurrence rate increased against the distance between the lower margin of tumor and resection line. Ninety-eight of 106 rectal patients had complete data of questionnaire: 58 scored 1, 32 scored 2, 7 scored 3, and 1 score 4. This revealed that the fecal function of most patients (91.8%, 90/98) was normal or nearly normal. Twenty-four of 37 males suffered from sexual dysfunction, and among them, eight were impotent (all older than 70 years), and 29 had retrograde ejaculation. Meanwhile, seven of 35 females suffered from sexual problem, 1 had dyspareunia, seven had decreased lubrication, and one had inability to achieve orgasm.


CONCLUSIONS
SLAR followed by adjuvant radiochemotherapy can effectively control local-regional disease and can be one choice of avoiding the functional morbidity of abdominoperineal resection.
Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China. slhan88@126.com
Shao-liang
SL
Han
Xian
X
Shen
Qi-Qiang
QQ
Zeng
Sheng-chong
SC
Guo
Jun
J
Cheng
Guan-bao
GB
Zhu
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies