Oncological outcome of ultra-low coloanal anastomosis with and without intersphincteric resection for low rectal adenocarcinoma

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Background</jats:title> <jats:p>The value of ultra-low coloanal anastomosis (CAA) for rectal cancer is dependent on the oncological and functional results. The aim of this comparative study was to evaluate the long-term oncological outcome of CAA with or without intersphincteric resection (ISR) for low-lying rectal tumours.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods</jats:title> <jats:p>The study population comprised consecutive patients with low rectal cancer who underwent CAA in a single institution between 1977 and 2004. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether or not a partial ISR had been performed. Cox multivariate models were used for survival analysis.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Results</jats:title> <jats:p>Some 278 patients underwent CAA with curative intent; 173 had ISR and 105 had CAA without ISR. Mean follow-up was 66·8 months. The 5-year actuarial rate for local recurrence, regardless of tumour stage, was 10·6 per cent in the ISR group versus 6·7 per cent for CAA alone (P = 0·405), and the 5-year actuarial overall survival rate was 86·1 and 80·0 per cent respectively (P = 0·318). Cox multivariable analysis revealed that resection of the anal canal was not a prognostic factor for local or metastatic recurrence.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title> <jats:p>Sphincter-preserving surgery appears to be oncologically adequate for very low-lying rectal tumours.</jats:p> </jats:sec>