Abstract
This paper examines the hypothesis that a reduction in the distal mural margin during anterior resection for sphincter conservation in rectal cancer excision is safe, provided total mesorectal excision is undertaken with wash-out of the clamped rectum. One hundred ninety-two patients underwent anterior resection and 21 (<10%) patients underwent abdomino-perineal excision (APE) by one surgeon (RJH). Anterior resections were classified as “curative” (79%) and “non-curative” (21%); in the “curative” sub-group <4% of patients developed local recurrence. The series was retrospectively analyzed for the effect of mural margins on local recurrence with 152 patients undergoing “curative” anterior resections and 40 patients undergoing “non-curative” resections. In the 152 specimens from curative resections, 110 had a resection margin >1 cm and 42 had a resection margin <1 cm. Four patients developed local recurrence in the >1 cm margin group (95% confidence interval: 0.8%–7.8%) and no patients developed local recurrence in the ≤1 cm margin group (95% confidence interval: 0%–5.9%). In each patient with local recurrence a cause for failure was apparent. There was no statistically significant difference in local recurrence rate between the ≤1 cm margin group and the >1 cm margin group. A reduction in resection margin therefore did not compromise survival after anterior resection.
The significance of lateral resection margins is discussed. The role of deep radiotherapy and cytotoxics are considered. However, in view of the low local recurrence rate that can be achieved by adequate surgery, it is the opinion of the author that radiotherapy and cytotoxics have little extra to offer in the management of cancer of the rectum treated by total mesorectal excision. Finally, the functional results following anterior resection and total mesorectal excision are analyzed and the refractory problem of anastomotic leakage is discussed.
Résumé
Cet article examine l'hypothèse de l'un des auteurs (RJH) selon laquelle la réduction de la marge de sécurité distale dans la résection antérieure du rectum avec conservation sphinctérienne pour cancer serait sans conséquence fâcheuse au plan cancinologique, à condition que l'excision du mésorectum soit complète et que le rectum soit clampé et irrigué en peropératoire. Cent quatre-vingt douze patients ayant eu une résection antérieure ont été comparés à 21 patients (soit 10% des cancers du rectum) ayant eu une amputation abdomino-périnéale, tous opérés par le même chirurgien (RJH). Les résections antérieures ont été classées en “curatives” (79%) et “non-curatives” (21%). Dans le groupe “curatives”, moins de 4% des patients ont vu se déveloper une récidive. Cette série a ensuite été analysée en détails en 1989 pour étudier le rapport entre la largeur des marges et le taux de récidive parmi 152 résections “curatives” et 40 résections “non-curatives”. Parmi les résections à visée curative, 110 avaient une marge de résection >1 cm et 42, une marge <1 cm. Il y avait quatre récidives locales dans le premier groupe (intervalle de confiance à 95%: 0.8%–7.8%) et aucune récidive dans le groupe avec une marge <1 cm (intervalle de confiance à 95%: 0%–5.9%). Dans chaque cas de récidive locale, la cause en était évidente. Il n'y avait pas de différence statistiquement significative entre le taux de récidive des patients ayant une marge <ou=1 cm comparé à ceux ayant une marge >1 cm. La réduction de la marge de sécurité n'a pas influencé de façon pejorative les résultats au plan carcinologique. L'étendue de la résection latérale reste un sujet de débat. Le rôle de la radiothérapie profonde et de la chimiothérapie sont discutés. Au vu des bons résultats obtenus par cette chirurgie, les auteurs pensent que ces traitements complémentaires offrent peu par rapport à une chirurgie radicale. Les résultats fonctionels dans ces deux types de chirurgie sont discutés, ainsi que le problème de fistule anastomotique.
Resumen
Este artículo analiza la hipótesis de uno de los autores (RJH) que plantea que una reducción en el margen mural distal en el curso de una resección anterior con conservación del esfínter por cáncer rectal es un procedimiento seguro, siempre y cuando se haga la resección total del mesorecto (RTM) con lavado del segmento distal. Ciento noventa y dos pacientes fueron sometidos a resección anterior y 21 a resección abdomino-perineal (RAP) por un mismo cirujano (RJH). La tasa de RAP fue menor de 10%. La resección anterior fue clasificada como “curativa” (79%) y “no curativa” (21%); en el subgrupo de la resección “curativa” menos de 4% de los pacientes desarrollaron recurrencia local. La serie fue posteriormente estudiada en detalle en 1989 con el objeto de determinar el efecto de los márgenes murales sobre la recurrencia local en 152 resecciones anteriores “curativas” y 40 “no curativas”. De los 152 especímenes curativos, 110 exhibieron un margen de >1 cm y 42 de <1 cm. Se presentaron 4 recurrencias locales en el grupo con margen >1 cm (95% CI: 0.8%–7.8%) y ninguna en el grupo ≤1 cm (95% CI: 0%–5.9%). En cada caso de recurrencia local hubo una causa aparente de la falla. No se encontró diferencia significativa en cuanto a las tasas de recurrencia local entre el grupo ≤1 cm y el grupo >1 cm. La reducción en el margen de resección, por consiguiente, no pareció comprometer la sobrevida después de una resección anterior. Se discute el significado de los márgenes laterales de resección, así como el papel de la radioterapia profunda y de los agentes citotóxicos. Ante las bajas tasas de recurrencia local que se logran con cirugía adecuada, es la opinión de los autores que tales modalidades tienen poco que ofrecer en el manejo del cáncer del recto tratado con tal tipo de cirugía radical (RTM). Finalmente, se analizan los resultados funcionales observados luego de una resección anterior y RTM y se discute el problema del escape anastomótico.
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Heald, R.J., Karanjia, N.D. Results of radical surgery for rectal cancer. World J. Surg. 16, 848–857 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066981
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02066981