OBJECTIVETo evaluate the clinical efficacy, feasibility and safety of sphincter-preservation with telescopic anastomosis of colon and rectal mucosa in low-middle rectal cancer.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was carried out in 371 patients with low-middle rectal cancer in whom telescopic anastomosis was used. There were 224 males and 147 females, with a mean age of 57.9 (21-99) years. The lower margins of the tumors located between 5-8 cm from the anal verge. On histopathology, there were 361 adenocarcinomas, including 138 well-differentiated, 201 moderately differentiated, 11 poorly differentiated, 11 mucinous adenocarcinoma, and 10 adenomas with neoplastic changes. According to the Duke's stage classification, 120 were TNM stage I, 222 stage II, 26 stage III, and 3 stage IV.

RESULTSThree hundred and eighteen (318/371, 85.7%) cases were followed up, and the median follow up time was 5.8 years. Postoperative complications were observed, including 16(4.3%) cases with anastomotic leak, and 8 (2.1%) with anastomotic stenosis. All the patients resumed normal bowel function during 12-24 weeks after operation, with 1-3 times per day. The local recurrence rate was 6.3% (20/318). Hepatic and lung metastasis was 14.5% (46/318) and 2.5% (8/318), respectively. The 5-year survival rate was 69.7%.

CONCLUSIONThe sphincter-preservation with telescopic anastomosis procedure is safe and effective for low-middle rectal cancer, and the sphincter function can be well-preserved.