Objective To investigate the safety and feasibility of the total mesorectal excision （TME） and intersphincteric resection （ISR） for ultra-low rectal cancer and anal sphincter preservation surgery for anorectal cancer， and to evaluate the short term efficacy and postoperative anal function. Methods A retrospective analysis of clinical and follow-up data of 86 cases with TME＋ISR for ultra-low rectal cancer and anorectal cancer from January 2009 to December 2010 in West China Hospital of Sichuan University were performed. Results Eighty-six patients were successfully performed the operation， the lower edge of tumor from the anus was 1-5 cm （average 1.63cm）； tumor diameter was 2-7 cm （average 3.4cm）. The tumors were high differentiation in 4 cases， moderately differentiation in 60 cases，and poorly differentiation in 22 cases. The pTNM stages were stageⅠin 12 cases， stageⅡA in 11 cases， stage ⅡB in 15 cases， stage ⅢA in 2 cases， stage ⅢB in 23 cases， stage ⅢC in 16 cases， and stage Ⅳ in 7 cases. There were postoperative anastomotic leakage in 3 cases， perianal infection in 2 cases （1 case received reoperation with permanent colostomy because of pelvic peritoneal infection caused by perianal severe infections）. Anastomotic bleeding and anastomotic stenosis were of 2 cases respectively. Rectovaginal fistula， inflammatory ileus， urinary retention， and abdominal infection were of 1 case respectively. Eighty-six patients were followed-up for 12-24 months， the mean time was 18 months. Liver metastases was found in 1 case in 7 months after operation， 2 cases dead in the 7th month and 12th month after operation respectively. Local recurrence were found in 3 cases （3.5%） in 1 year after operation. The survival rate of 1-year was 97.7% （84/86）. The times of defecation was 1-5 times a day. The Kirwan’s score level on function of control defecation was 1-2 grade. Conclusions TME＋ISR for low rectal cancer and anorectal cancer is a viable， safe， and radical operation type for preservation of anus. The short term efficacy is satisfactory.
Objective To approach the curative effect of laparoscopic rectum resection combined with per anus intersphincteric rectal dissection and colo anal anastomosis for patients with ultra-low rectal cancer. Methods Thirteen patients were prospectively studied from June 2005 to December 2007. There were 8 male and 5 female patients, with a mean age of 53 (range, 41-69) years. All the tumors located less than 5 cm above the anal verge. All the patients were treated with general anaesthesia and then went through the following procedures: lied the reverse Trendelenburg reforming lithotomy position, the laparoscope went inside the abdomen through two apertures, the hylus aperture (observing aperture) and the McBurney point aperture (main performing aperture). After the resection through the laparoscope, the operation was translocated to the perineal region, the anus was enlarged to expose the operation area. Results The operation on all cases succeeded, there was no operative mortality, and no stomal leak in all patients. The follow-up duration ranged from 1 to 30 months (mean 17 months). Up to now, one patient developed recurrence in pelvic cavity, and one suffered hepatic metastasis, there was no port-site implantation metastasis， 9 patients had satisfactory functional recovery of anus in the sixth month after operation. Conclusion The therapy laparoscopic rectum resection combined with per anus intersphincteric rectal dissection and colo-anal anastomosis for patients with ultra-low rectal cancer is a safe, minimally invasive, anal-preserving technique with reliablity in curative effect and satisfaction in anal sphincter function.