Coloanal anastomosis in the management of benign and malignant rectal disease.

The aim was to determine the efficacy, safety, and long-term clinical and functional results of coloanal anastomosis in patients with complicated benign and malignant rectal disease. Twenty-nine patients underwent coloanal or colopouch-anal anastomosis for either carcinoma of the rectum not technically amenable to conventional low anterior resection, severe radiation injury, large benign lower third tumors, or complications of previous operations. The mean age of the patients was 61 years and 82% were men. A diverting colostomy was constructed in 55% of the patients. The mean (+/- SEM) length of follow-up was 20 +/- 3 months. There was no operative mortality. Transient urinary retention, however, occurred in 40%, anastomotic stricture in 28%, and anastomotic leakage in 3.4%. Four patients (14%) could not have intestinal continuity restored and therefore were considered failures. The stool frequency for all remaining patients (N = 25) was 3 +/- 1 per day (mean +/- SEM) and did not vary with age, sex, or indication for operation. Complete continence was achieved by 84% of patients, but no patient was incapacitated by poor bowel function. In patients in whom a conventional colorectostomy is impractical or unwise, coloanal anastomosis is a safe and efficacious alternative operation that preserves anal continence.