‘Close shave’ in anterior resection

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Abstract
Of 192 anterior resections for rectal cancer performed over 10 years by one author (R.J.H.), 169 (88 per cent) included total mesorectal excision and all included lavage of the clamped distal rectum. Of this series, 152 (79 per cent) were classed as curative, 110 with a resection margin > 1 cm and 42 with a resection margin ≤ 1 cm. The group with a > 1 cm margin had a significantly lower Dukes' A to B ratio than the group with a margin ≤1 cm, although the proportion with Dukes' C lesions was similar in both groups (X2 = 6·712; P = 0·035). There were no local recurrences in the latter group (95 per cent confidence interval (CI) is 0–5·9 per cent) while there were four (3·6 per cent) in the former group (95 per cent CI is 0·8–7·4 per cent). There were no significant differences in recurrence rates, local and distant, between the two groups (Fisher's exact test, P = 0·2). Reduction of resection margin, provided total mesorectal excision and washout is properly performed, does not increase local recurrence or compromise survival.