Coloanal anastomosis for rectal cancer

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Abstract
This study was designed to determine functional outcomes and rates of survival and recurrence of coloanal anastomosis in rectal cancer patients. Between 1981 and 1991, 117 patients underwent coloanal anastomosis. Fifteen percent of the patients had a J-pouch; the rest had a straight coloanal anastomosis. Thirty-eight percent had no diverting stoma. Median distance of the tumor from the anal verge was 6.7 cm. Local recurrence rate was 7 percent. Five-year survival was fully 69 percent. Satisfactory fecal continence was achieved by 78 percent of patients; no J-pouch patient had frequent incontinence. Sixty-two percent of the patients had major (anastomotic leak = 18 percent) or minor complications; complications were not mitigated by a diverting stoma or worsened by adjuvant therapy. Although coloanal anastomosis is associated with a high chance of complications, the long-term outcome, in terms of disease-free survival and satisfactory function, is excellent.