Recurrence risk after stapled anastomosis for rectal carcinoma.

Forty patients operated upon for cure of carcinoma of the rectum with anterior resection using the EEA stapling device have been analyzed in an uncontrolled series. The recurrence rate during a mean follow-up of 39 months was 35%. The recurrence rate in all 62 patients with carcinomas operated upon with other techniques during the same period was 34%. The recurrence risk seemed to vary with stage and grade of the tumor growth, but the series is too small for valid conclusions. Preoperative selection of patients at high risk for local recurrence is difficult when only preoperative biopsies and peroperative findings are used as information.