Simple method for very low colorectal anastomosis with the double staple technique

Colorectal anastomosis using a novel double-stapling technique for lower rectal carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The conventional double-stapling technique (DST) using a standard linear stapler horizontally is sometimes difficult to apply to an anastomosis where the pelvis is narrow or the anastomosis is ultralow. In this report, we review our experiences of a novel DST (IO-DST) that employs vertical division of the rectum using an endostapler.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

One-hundred and five consecutive patients who underwent low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma below the peritoneal reflection were enrolled into this study. The clinical, oncological, and functional outcomes were studied retrospectively.

RESULTS

The median distance from the anal verge to the tumor was 5.0 cm in "high risk" T1 tumors and 6.5 cm in more-advanced tumors. More than 2 cm of distal surgical margin was obtained in 80.6% of the patients with tumors deeper than T1. The median distance from the anal verge to the anastomosis was 4.2 cm in T1 tumors and 4.0 cm in more-advanced tumors. The median blood loss was 315 ml, and the median operative time was 262 min. There was no mortality in the IO-DST. Recurrence presented in 12 (13.0%) of the patients who underwent curative surgery, with local recurrence in four patients (4.3%) during a median follow-up of 46.2 months. However, no patients experienced suture-line recurrence. The early bowel frequency was four times/day after stoma closure in patients with transient covering colostomy and 3.5 times/day in patients without colostomy. The late bowel frequency was three times/day in patients with transient covering colostomy, and two times/day in patients without colostomy.

CONCLUSIONS

The IO-DST is a feasible and safe procedure for facilitating lower anastomosis in rectal carcinoma below the peritoneal reflection.

Modified double-stapling technique in low anterior resection for lower rectal carcinoma

PURPOSE

The original double-stapling technique (DST) using a standard linear stapler horizontally can be difficult in patients with a narrow pelvis or an ultralow anastomosis. We review our experience of performing a modified DST (IO-DST) with vertical division of the rectum achieved using an endostapler.

METHODS

We retrospectively studied the clinical outcomes of 90 patients who underwent low anterior resection (LAR) for lower rectal carcinoma. Low anterior resection was performed with IO-DST in 34 patients (IO-DST group), with the single-stapling technique (SST) in 47 (SST group), and with per anal anastomosis (PAA) in 9 (PAA group).

RESULTS

The distances from the anal verge to the tumor and to the anastomosis were significantly shorter in the IO-DST group than in the SST group (5.8 cm, 4.0 cm vs 7.0 cm, 5.0 cm, respectively), whereas it was equivalent in the IO-DST and PAA groups (5.0 cm, 4.0 cm). Blood loss was less in the IO-DST group than in the SST and PAA groups (400 ml vs 578 ml and 950 ml, respectively). The operative time was shorter in the IO-DST group than in the PAA group (281 min vs 327 min, respectively). There were no significant differences in the length of the distal surgical margin among the three groups. The IO-DST group patients suffered less bowel frequency than the SST group patients 1 month after surgery (2.5 times/day vs 4.0 times/day, respectively) and less than the PAA group patients more than 1 year after surgery (2.0 times/day vs 3.5 times/day, respectively). There were no significant differences in the incidence of complications or local recurrence among the three groups.

CONCLUSIONS

IO-DST is a feasible and safe procedure for performing low anastomosis, which results in less bowel frequency after LAR for lower rectal carcinoma.

[Video-assisted total proctocolectomy with ileoanal anastomosis]

The indication for laparoscopy in digestive surgery has evolved with the development of the laparoscopic material as well its increasingly frequent practice in the medical community. Those complex operations such as restorative proctocolectomy require a high level of technical skill as well as a specifically designed operative approach. The study aim was to report our experience of the video-assisted approach to restorative proctocolectomy.