F Prete1, F P Prete, R De Luca, P Nitti, D Sammarco, G Preziosa. 1. General Surgery Unit, C. Righetti, University of Bari School of Medicine, Piazza Umberto, 32-70121, Bari, Italy. fernando.prete@chirurgiaquinta.uniba.it
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are sporadic reports, with different verdicts, of restorative proctectomy by laparoscopic transanal pull-through (LTPT) without the use of a minilaparotomy for a part of the procedure. This study aimed to explore the applicability and advantages of LTPT with colon pouch-anal anastomosis for low rectal cancer, and to evaluate the results. METHODS: From January 2002 to July 2003, 10 of 12 patients (6 men and 4 women) undergoing a laparoscopic procedure for low rectal cancer (<6 cm from the anal verge) underwent LTPT. The mean age of these patients was 58 years. The results have been compared with those for 12 similar non-pull-through procedures performed during the same period. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. An anastomotic leakage and a hemorrhagic gastropathy occurred in the LTPT group. During a mean follow-up period of 18 months (range, 12-26 months), there was no local relapse. Four patients manifested moderate incontinence. No significant differences in functional outcome were observed between the LTPT and control groups. CONCLUSION: The authors' experience supports use of the LTPT procedure with colonic pouch-anal anastomosis for selected lower rectal cancers with indications for a laparoscopic approach as an appropriate and reproducible surgical treatment.
BACKGROUND: There are sporadic reports, with different verdicts, of restorative proctectomy by laparoscopic transanal pull-through (LTPT) without the use of a minilaparotomy for a part of the procedure. This study aimed to explore the applicability and advantages of LTPT with colon pouch-anal anastomosis for low rectal cancer, and to evaluate the results. METHODS: From January 2002 to July 2003, 10 of 12 patients (6 men and 4 women) undergoing a laparoscopic procedure for low rectal cancer (<6 cm from the anal verge) underwent LTPT. The mean age of these patients was 58 years. The results have been compared with those for 12 similar non-pull-through procedures performed during the same period. RESULTS: There was no operative mortality. An anastomotic leakage and a hemorrhagic gastropathy occurred in the LTPT group. During a mean follow-up period of 18 months (range, 12-26 months), there was no local relapse. Four patients manifested moderate incontinence. No significant differences in functional outcome were observed between the LTPT and control groups. CONCLUSION: The authors' experience supports use of the LTPT procedure with colonic pouch-anal anastomosis for selected lower rectal cancers with indications for a laparoscopic approach as an appropriate and reproducible surgical treatment.
Authors: F Köckerling; M A Reymond; C Schneider; C Wittekind; H Scheidbach; J Konradt; L Köhler; E Bärlehner; A Kuthe; H P Bruch; W Hohenberger Journal: Dis Colon Rectum Date: 1998-08 Impact factor: 4.585