Complications following surgery for low rectal cancer – modified intersphincteric resections vs non-sphincter saving technique

Abstract

Introduction: In patients with low rectal cancer, a proper surgical technique is aimed to confer a better quality of life following surgery and a longer time of disease-free survival. Aim: In this study, we presented the results obtained by a single surgical centre in the treatment of low rectal cancer, using two types of surgery: intersphincteric resections (ISR) and abdominoperineal resections (APR). Material and methods: The paper was focused on the rate of complications after surgery for low rectal cancer, which was retrospectively evaluated in 132 consecutive patients who underwent surgery over a period of 5 years. The statistical comparison was done between two groups: group 1 - that underwent ISR (n=60) and group 2 – patients evaluated after APR (n=72). Results: The quality of life, evaluated at the regular follow-up, did not show significant difference between the two groups. Clavien-Dindo grade I and above complications were registered in 9 patients (15%) from group 1 respectively 23 patients (38.33%) from the group 2. Conclusion: ISR is a good option for surgical removal of a low rectal cancer, with a lower rate of complications, compared with APR technique.