Mitsuru Yokota1, Masaaki Ito2, Yuji Nishizawa1, Akihiro Kobayashi1, Norio Saito1. 1. Division of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan. 2. Division of Colorectal Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, 6-5-1 Kashiwanoha, Kashiwa, Chiba, 277-8577, Japan. maito@east.ncc.go.jp.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Data regarding anastomotic leakage (AL) following intersphincteric resection (ISR) are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the effect of AL on anal function in a retrospective review of patients who developed AL following ISR. METHODS: We evaluated 341 consecutive patients who underwent ISR between 2000 and 2012. Patients were classified into three groups: anastomotic dehiscence (AD), major AL (Clavien-Dindo grade III+), or control (<grade III or no AL). Functional assessment was performed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after defecation through the preserved anus, and the Wexner score was calculated. RESULTS: Among patients who underwent ISR for low rectal cancer (anal verge, 3.7 ± 1.3 cm), 59 (17%) developed AL. Of these, 13 patients were classified as AD and 36 as major AL. The rate of the 3-year stomal reversal was significantly lower in the major AL (78.6%) and AD groups (61.5%) than in the control group (88.7%; p < 0.01). Furthermore, the anastomotic stricture rate was higher in the AL and AD groups than in the controls (16.7 and 38.5 vs. 1.8%, respectively; p < 0.01). Wexner scores in the major AL group were poor during the early period, but were similar to the control group at the 2-year follow-up. In contrast, Wexner scores in the AD group remained high, even after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with major AL following ISR had poor anal function that recovered over 2 years, as long as AD was not present. These findings suggest that patients with major AL require a long-term follow-up for anal function.
BACKGROUND: Data regarding anastomotic leakage (AL) following intersphincteric resection (ISR) are lacking. We aimed to evaluate the effect of AL on anal function in a retrospective review of patients who developed AL following ISR. METHODS: We evaluated 341 consecutive patients who underwent ISR between 2000 and 2012. Patients were classified into three groups: anastomotic dehiscence (AD), major AL (Clavien-Dindo grade III+), or control (<grade III or no AL). Functional assessment was performed at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after defecation through the preserved anus, and the Wexner score was calculated. RESULTS: Among patients who underwent ISR for low rectal cancer (anal verge, 3.7 ± 1.3 cm), 59 (17%) developed AL. Of these, 13 patients were classified as AD and 36 as major AL. The rate of the 3-year stomal reversal was significantly lower in the major AL (78.6%) and AD groups (61.5%) than in the control group (88.7%; p < 0.01). Furthermore, the anastomotic stricture rate was higher in the AL and AD groups than in the controls (16.7 and 38.5 vs. 1.8%, respectively; p < 0.01). Wexner scores in the major AL group were poor during the early period, but were similar to the control group at the 2-year follow-up. In contrast, Wexner scores in the AD group remained high, even after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS:Patients with major AL following ISR had poor anal function that recovered over 2 years, as long as AD was not present. These findings suggest that patients with major AL require a long-term follow-up for anal function.