Background: Intersphincteric resection (ISR) with total mesorectal excision (TME) is an accepted technique for the surgical treatment of very low rectal cancer. Historically it is associated with a higher functional complication rate than the Double Stapling (DS) technique when performed with open or laparoscopic approach. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical, short-term oncologic and functional outcomes of robotic ISR TME (R-ISR-TME) with those of robotic low anterior resection TME with a double stapling technique (R-DS-TME). Methods: Between April 2010 and December 2013, 42 patients underwent robot-assisted rectal resection with TME at our General Surgery Unit, including 10 R-ISR-TME. The outcomes of the R-ISR-TME group were compared with a R-DS-TME group selected using a case-matched methodology. We evaluated the operative, pathological, short-term oncologic results and postoperative sexual, urinary and defecation functions using specific questionnaires. Results: The analyses of the data showed similar results for R-ISR-TME and R-DS-TME regarding the operative, pathological and oncologic results. Focusing on urinary and sexual function, no score values were significantly different at any time between the two groups. The daily frequency of defecation 1 year after surgery was 1.9±0.9 for RISR-TME and 1.8±0.3 for RDS-TME indicating no difference between the two groups. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the two groups in other defecation functions. The mean Wexner score 1 year after surgery was 3.0±1.1 in R-ISR-TME and 2.2±1.0 in R-DS-TME group (p=0.2) and defecation-related quality of life for R-ISR-TME and R-DS-TME was not significantly different (modified fecal incontinence quality of life score: 30.3±19.1 vs 27.5±14.5, respectively; p=0.2). Conclusions: These clinical and functional results suggest that R-ISR-TME could be a good sphincter-preserving surgery for patients with very low rectal cancer. Robotic assistance may overcome some intrinsic limitations of the ISR technique flattening the difference with the DS-TME procedure.
Short-term clinical outcomes of robot-assisted intersphincteric resection and low rectal resection with double-stapling technique for cancer: a case-matched study
MORELLI, LUCA;GUADAGNI, SIMONE;DI FRANCO, GREGORIO;PALMERI, MATTEO;D'ISIDORO, CRISTIANO;PISANO, ROBERTA;MOGLIA, ANDREA;DI CANDIO, GIULIO;MOSCA, FRANCO
2015-01-01
Abstract
Background: Intersphincteric resection (ISR) with total mesorectal excision (TME) is an accepted technique for the surgical treatment of very low rectal cancer. Historically it is associated with a higher functional complication rate than the Double Stapling (DS) technique when performed with open or laparoscopic approach. The aim of this study was to compare the surgical, short-term oncologic and functional outcomes of robotic ISR TME (R-ISR-TME) with those of robotic low anterior resection TME with a double stapling technique (R-DS-TME). Methods: Between April 2010 and December 2013, 42 patients underwent robot-assisted rectal resection with TME at our General Surgery Unit, including 10 R-ISR-TME. The outcomes of the R-ISR-TME group were compared with a R-DS-TME group selected using a case-matched methodology. We evaluated the operative, pathological, short-term oncologic results and postoperative sexual, urinary and defecation functions using specific questionnaires. Results: The analyses of the data showed similar results for R-ISR-TME and R-DS-TME regarding the operative, pathological and oncologic results. Focusing on urinary and sexual function, no score values were significantly different at any time between the two groups. The daily frequency of defecation 1 year after surgery was 1.9±0.9 for RISR-TME and 1.8±0.3 for RDS-TME indicating no difference between the two groups. Moreover, there were no significant differences between the two groups in other defecation functions. The mean Wexner score 1 year after surgery was 3.0±1.1 in R-ISR-TME and 2.2±1.0 in R-DS-TME group (p=0.2) and defecation-related quality of life for R-ISR-TME and R-DS-TME was not significantly different (modified fecal incontinence quality of life score: 30.3±19.1 vs 27.5±14.5, respectively; p=0.2). Conclusions: These clinical and functional results suggest that R-ISR-TME could be a good sphincter-preserving surgery for patients with very low rectal cancer. Robotic assistance may overcome some intrinsic limitations of the ISR technique flattening the difference with the DS-TME procedure.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.