Pelvic recurrence after anterior resection and EEA stapling anastomosis for potentially curable carcinoma of the rectum.

Rectal carcinoma can be treated by anterior resection with EEA anastomosis in order to preserve rectal continuity in those patients in whom anastomosis may be technically difficult. In our initial local experience however, the pelvic recurrence rate has been approximately three times as high as would be expected. The surgical results were good in those patients with Dukes' B lesions. The majority of failures occurred in those with Dukes' C lesions. When the preoperative assessment indicates the strong likelihood of a Dukes' C lesion, consideration of abdominoperineal resection must be given if cure is anticipated. Most surgeons will obtain a more complete pararectal tissue clearance with this procedure than with anterior resection. Those who wish to preserve rectal continuity with curative procedures for rectal carcinoma must become proficient at pararectal tissue clearance if a low rate of pelvic recurrence is to be achieved. The EEA stapler can enable safe anastomosis when these other factors have been accomplished. When cure is anticipated, it can only be provided for the majority of patients at initial surgical resection. The EEA stapler has a unique value in patients who have resectable rectal carcinoma, and yet have distal metastasis by the time initial surgery is performed. The preservation of rectal continuity in such patients is an excellent method of palliation.