title: Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection (ISR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiation is helpful in the management of patients with low rectal cancer. With the advent of this technique, the need for performance of abdominoperineal resection seems to have decreased in patients with very low rectal tumors. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the feasibility, the functional outcome, and the short-term oncologic outcomes of laparoscopic ISR for low rectal adenocarcinoma at our institution.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively reviewed the data of 111 consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic ISR for low rectal adenocarcinoma between July 2005 and December 2009. Demographic status, surgical outcomes, functional outcome data, and oncologic outcome data were collected.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean distance of the tumor from the anal verge was 3.4 cm (range: 1-5 cm). The mean operative time was 214.7 min (range, 150-450 min). The mean distal resection margin was 1.3 ± 1.1 cm. Morbidity occurred in 24 patients (21.6%), including anastomotic leakage in 2 patients (1.8%). The mean Wexner continence score after stoma repair was 7.5 ± 2.7 (range: 2 ~ 19), and 9.8 in total ISR, 7.3 in partial ISR (P = 0.071). The 3-year overall survival rate was 92.8%, and the 3-year disease-free survival rate was 73.0%. Local recurrence was noted in 6 of the 111 patients with TNM stage I to III (5.4%). The patients with lesions at 2 cm to the dentate line had a 7.07-fold greater risk of local recurrence, including a 13.42-fold greater risk of lateral pelvic wall recurrence and perineal recurrence (95% Confidence interval [CI], 1.141-158.006; P = 0.009) than in those who had lesions more than 2 cm from the anal verge (95% CI, 1.290-38.832; P = 0.011).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Laparoscopic ISR after neoadjuvant chemoradiation can be recommended as a technically feasible, minimally invasive, and a sphincter-saving procedure with acceptable functional and short-term oncologic outcomes in patients with very low rectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, 160 ilsim-ri, Hwasun-eup, Hwasun-gun, Jeollanamdo, 519-809, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Woo
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lim
authors.forename: Jung Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Huh
authors.forename: Young Jin
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Hyeong Rok
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome