title: Perineal transanal approach: a new standard for laparoscopic sphincter-saving resection in low rectal cancer, a randomized trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Laparoscopic sphincter preservation for low rectal cancer is challenging because of the high risk of positive circumferential resection margin. We hypothesized that perineal dissection of the distal rectum may improve quality of surgery, compared with the conventional abdominal dissection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between 2008 and 2012, 100 patients with low rectal cancer (< 6 cm from the anal verge) suitable for sphincter preservation were randomized between perineal and abdominal low rectal dissection. Surgery included laparoscopic mobilization of the left colon with high rectal dissection. Distal rectal dissection was performed laparoscopically in the abdominal group and transanally in the perineal group. The primary endpoint was quality of surgery (circumferential resection margin, mesorectum grade, and lymph nodes). Secondary end points were morbidity and conversion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of positive circumferential resection margin decreased significantly after perineal compared with abdominal low rectal dissection, 4% versus 18% (P = 0.025). The mesorectum grade and the number of lymph nodes analyzed did not differ between the 2 groups. There was no difference in surgical morbidity (12% vs 14%; P = 0.766) and conversion (4% vs 10%; P = 0.436) between perineal and abdominal rectal dissection. Multivariate analysis showed that abdominal rectal dissection was the only independent factor of positive circumferential resection margin (odds ratio = 5.25; 95% confidence interval: 1.03-26.70; P = 0.046).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Perineal rectal dissection reduces the risk of positive circumferential resection margin, as compared with the conventional abdominal dissection in low rectal cancer. This suggests the perineal rectal dissection as a new standard in laparoscopic sphincter-saving resection for low rectal cancer.
authors.affiliation: *CHU Bordeaux, Saint André Hospital, Department of Surgery †CHU Bordeaux, Pellegrin Hospital, Department of Pathology ‡University Segalen Bordeaux 2, Bordeaux, France.
authors.forename: Quentin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Denost
authors.forename: Jean-Philippe
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Adam
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rullier
authors.forename: Etienne
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Buscail
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laurent
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Rullier
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010535:Laparoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057605:Natural Orifice Endoscopic Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome