Chemoradiotherapeutic prevention of local recurrence after stapled anastomoses in rectal cancer.

Continuity of bowel was restored after resection of twelve midrectal cancers (6 Dukes' B, 4 Dukes' C and 2 metastatic to liver) by stapling with the SPTU suture gun, following pre-operative radiotherapy and intraoperative topical chemotherapy with 5-flourouracil and mercuric perchloride. Postoperative contrast radiographs revealed one of the 12 anastomoses to be leaking. Three patients died 18 to 10 months after resection and nine have been followed for two to six years. No clinical, endoscopic or biochemical evidence of local recurrence has emerged. Comparative trials of this type of chemoradiotherapeutic prophylaxis of local recurrence after restorative operations for low rectal cancers are advocated.