Functional and Oncologic Outcome of Coloanal Anastomosis in Low Lying Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Sphincter preservation is one of the main goal in the treatment of rectal cancer, but surgical management of cancer of the lower third of the rectum continues to evolve. The aim of this study was to evaluate the oncologic safety and to assess the functional results of coloanal anastomosis following ultra low anterior resection (CAA/ uLAR) in distal rectal cancer. METHODS: Thirty-six patients underwent coloanal anastomosis following ultralow anterior resection between January 2000 and February 2005. Main operative techniques were total mesorectal excision with autonomic nerve preservation. Colonic J pouch was made 6 cm in length. All patients were followed up for fecal incontinence and frequency of bowel movement after diverting ileostomy closure. All patients were evaluated for local or systemic recurrences. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 58.7 (34~82) years. The median follow-up period was 24.5 (6~55) months. The types of anastomosis were straight anastomosis (n=25), colonic J pouch formation (n=10) and coloplasty (n=1). The twenty-nine patients of thirty-one patients underwent diverting ileostomy were performed ileostomy repair. The twenty-two patients had frequency after ileostomy repair. There is no statistical correlation of reservoir type and frequency (P=0.604). But the relationship between adjuvant radiation and frequency is statistically correlated (P=0.012). Postoperative complications were anastomotic leakage (n=5), but mostly radiological minor leakage, transient paralytic ileus (n=2), and anastomotic stenosis (n=1). The local recurrence rate is 3% and systemic recurrence occurred in 5 patients (14%), most patients were in Astler-Coller stage C. CONCLUSIONS: Ultralow anterior resection and coloanal anastomosis in low lying rectal cancer did not seem to affect recurrence. This procedure has poor functional outcome in early period but normal continence and acceptable frequency of bowel movements can be obtained at 1 year after operation.

Preoperative Chemoradiation Therapy in the Management of Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer

PURPOSE: Surgery is the standard care in the treatment of rectal cancer. However, after surgery alone, local recurrence and distant metastasis remain high for locally advanced rectal cancer. Preoperative chemoradiation therapy (pre-CRT) has been thought to be effective for increasing resectability and decreasing the rate of local recurrence for locally advanced rectal cancer. This study was designed to assess the efficacy of preoperative concurrent chemoradiation therapy in the management of locally advanced rectal cancer. METHODS: Between July 1999 and December 2003, 29 patients had locally advanced rectal cancer (uT3/ T4, uN1 by endorectal ultrasonography) or were ineligible to undergo sphincter-preserving surgery. All patients were treated with pre-CRT, followed by surgery in 25 patients. Patients were treated with radiation therapy with a total dose of 45~50.4 Gy to the surgical bed and pelvic lymph- node area for 5.5 weeks. We analyzed the degree of toxicity and the therapeutic resopnse from CRT, the type of surgery, including sphincter-saving procedures, and the mid- term outcome. RESULTS: Of the 29 patients who received pre-CRT, a radical resection was possible in 25 patients. A low anterior resection and an ultra-low anterior resection- coloanal anastomosis were performed in 13 (52%) and 7 (28%) cases, respectively. Sphincter-preserving surgery was performed in 80% of the patients. The postoperative pathological response rates of CRT were 25% complete remission, 45% partial remission, 30% no response. Postoperative complications and toxicity from CRT were acceptable. The duration of median follow-up was 24 months (9~62 months). Recurrence was seen in 6 cases. Distant recurrence alone was seen in 5 patients (19.2%) and distant and local recurrences were seen in only one patient (4%). The 3-year overall survival rate was 72.4%, and 3-year disease-free survival rate was 59.5%. CONCLUSION: Our data suggested that preoperative concurrent CRT therapy for locally advanced rectal cancer is safe and tolerable. These data showed a high local control rate and a high 3-year survival rate. Preoperative CRT was an effective modality for sphincter preservation in selected patients who would have required an abdominoperineal resection. Additional studies with larger numbers of patients and long-term follow up are warranted to confirm our results. In addition, more effective chemotherapeutic regimens are needed to decrease distant metastasis.

Intraoperative Enteroscopic Total Polypectomy for the Patients with Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome

Patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome often suffer complications of the polyps, such as intussusception, bowel obstruction, and bleeding. Furthermore, repeated operations may be required in some patients, which may result in short-bowel syndrome. Intraoperative enteroscopy during a laparotomy for this syndrome was introduced. This can avert multiple enterotomies and decrease bowel resection segments. We report the cases of three consecutive patients with Peutz-Jeghers syndrome who recently underwent intraoperative enteroscopy via enterotomy with successful removal of most small-bowel polyps. The large polyps of the jejunum required an enterotomy for their removal, but smaller polyps at the lower ileum were identified and removed by using intra-operative total enteroscopy. A more complete polypectomy can be performed using this technique, thus allowing patients with Peutz- Jeghers syndrome a longer interval between laparotomies and a reduction in the symptoms attributed to polyps.

Surgical Management for Superior Mesentery Artery Syndrome in Korea: Including Korean literature Review

PURPOSE: Superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome is a rare disorder, characterized by a decreased aortomesenteric angle that causes a duodenal obstruction. It usually occurs after a period of weight loss, nausea or vomiting due to a partial obstruction of the third portion of the duodenum. If conservative management fails, then a laparotomy, with a duodenojejunostomy, is indicated. A minimally invasive laparoscopic approach to the retroperitoneum, or duodenal, operation has recently been introduced. Although the role of laparoscopy in the management of SMA syndrome is not clearly defined, a laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy may be an alternative approach for its surgical treatment. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed and analysed our experience of 8 cases of SMA syndrome, and included another 45 cases that had previously been reported in the Korean literature since 1967. RESULTS: There was no gender predominance, but SMA syndrome was more common in younger patients. There were several diseases, or underlying conditions, associated with gastrointestinal, or other general conditions, in SMA syndrome. With respect to its surgical management, most cases in Korea were treated with a duodenojejunostomy. We recently experienced two cases of superior mesenteric artery syndrome, which were treated laparoscopically. The operation time and lenghth of hospital stay were acceptable, with no complications. CONCLUSION: SMA syndrome shows a greater predominance in young age, and is associated with many other diseases, or conditions, in Korea. A duodenojejunostomy is the best choice of operative procedure for the treatment of SMA syndrome. A laparoscopic duodenojejunostomy is also a feasible, alternative option in the treatment of SMA syndrome, providing the benefits of a definitive and minimally invasive surgical technique for a duodenal obstruction.