Extralevator abdominoperineal excision for advanced low rectal cancer:Where to go

Since its introduction,extralevator abdominoperineal excision(ELAPE)in the prone position has gained significant attention and recognition as an important surgical procedure for the treatment of advanced low rectal cancer.Most studies suggest that because of adequate resection and precise anatomy,ELAPE could decrease the rate of positive circumferential resection margins,intraoperative perforation,and may further decrease local recurrence rate and improve survival.Some studies show that extensive resection of pelvic floor tissue may increase the incidence of wound complications and urogenital dysfunction.Laparoscopic/robotic ELAPE and trans-perineal minimally invasive approach allow patients to be operated in the lithotomy position,which has advantages of excellent operative view,precise dissection and reduced postoperative complications.Pelvic floor reconstruction with biological mesh could significantly reduce wound complications and the duration of hospitalization.The proposal of individualized ELAPE could further reduce the occurrence of postoperative urogenital dysfunction and chronic perianal pain.The ELAPE procedure emphasizes precise anatomy and conforms to the principle of radical resection of tumors,which is a milestone operation for the treatment of advanced low rectal cancer.

Abdominoperineal excision following preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer: Unfavorable prognosis even with negative circumferential resection margin

AIM: To evaluate whether an abdominoperineal excision (APE) is associated with increased local recurrence (LR) and shortened disease-free survival (DFS) in mid-low rectal cancer with a negative circumferential resection margin (CRM).

Application of Laparoscopic Extralevator Abdominoperineal Excision in Locally Advanced Low Rectal Cancer

Background：When compared with conventional abdominoperineal resection （APR）,extralevator abdominoperineal excision （ELAPE） has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of local recurrence for the treatment of locally advanced low rectal cancer.Combined with the laparoscopic technique,laparoscopic ELAPE （LELAPE） has the potential to reduce invasion and hasten postoperative recovery.In this study,we aim to investigate the advantages of LELAPE in comparison with conventional APR.Methods：From October 2010 to February 2013,23 patients with low rectal cancer （T3-4N0-2M0） underwent LELAPE;while during the same period,25 patients were treated with conventional APR.The patient characteristics,intraoperative data,postoperative complications,and follow-up results were retrospectively compared and analyzed.Results：The basic patient characteristics were similar;but the total operative time for the LELAPE was longer than that of the conventional APR group （P =0.014）.However,the operative time for the perineal portion was comparable between the two groups （P =0.328）.The LELAPE group had less intraoperative blood loss （P =0.022）,a lower bowel perforation rate （P =0.023）,and a positive circumferential margin （P =0.028）.Moreover,the patients,who received the LELAPE,had a lower postoperative Visual Analog Scale,quicker recovery of bowel function （P =0.001）,and a shorter hospital stay （P =0.047）.However,patients in the LELAPE group suffered more chronic perineal pain （P =0.002）,which may be related to the coccygectomy （P =0.033）.Although the metastasis rate and mortality rate were similar between the two groups,the local recurrence rate of the LELAPE group was statistically improved （P =0.047）.Conclusions：When compared with conventional APR,LELAPE has the potential to reduce the risk of local recurrence,and decreases operative invasion for the treatment of locally advanced low rectal cancer.

Preliminary Outcome of Individualized Abdominoperineal Excision for Locally Advanced Low Rectal Cancer

Background： The introduction of individualized abdominoperineal excision （APE） may minimize operative trauma and reduce the rate of complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of individualized APE for low rectal cancer. Methods： Fifty-six patients who underwent individualized APE from June 2011 to June 2015 were evaluated retrospectively in Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University. The main outcome measures were circumferential resection margin （CRM） involvement, intraoperative perforation, postoperative complications, and local recurrence. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 16.0. Results： Fifty （89%） patients received preoperative chemoradiotherapy： 51 （91%） patients were treated with the sacrococcyx preserved; 27 （48%） patients with the levator ani muscle partially preserved bilaterally; 20 （36%） patients with the levator ani muscle partially preserved unilaterally and the muscle on the opposite side totally preserved; 7 （13%） patients with intact levator ani muscle and part of the ischioanal fat bilaterally dissected; and 2 （4%） patients with part of the ischioanal fat and intact lavator ani muscle dissected unilaterally and the muscle on the opposite side partially preserved. The most common complications included sexual dysfunction （12%）, perineal wound complications （13%）, urinary retention （7%）, and chronic perineal pain （5%）. A positive CRM was demonstrated in 3 （5%） patients, and intraoperative perforations occurred in 2 （4%） patients. On multiple logistic regression analysis, longer operative time （P = 0.032） and more intraoperative blood loss （P = 0.006） were significantly associated with perineal procedure-related complications. The local recurrence was 4% at a median follow-up of 53 months （range： 30–74 months）. Conclusion： With preoperative chemoradiotherapy, individualized APE may be a relatively safe and feasible approach for low rectal cancer with acceptable oncological outcomes.

Laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery: Where do we stand?

Large comparative studies and multiple prospective randomized control trials (RCTs) have reported equivalence in short and long-term outcomes between the open and laparoscopic approaches for the surgical treatment of colon cancer which has heralded widespread acceptance for laparoscopic resection of colon cancer. In contrast, laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (TME) for the treatment of rectal cancer has been welcomed with significantly less enthusiasm. While it is likely that patients with rectal cancer will experience the same benefits of early recovery and decreased postoperative pain from the laparoscopic approach, whether the same oncologic clearance, specifically an adequate TME can be obtained is of concern. The aim of the current study is to review the current level of evidence in the literature on laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery with regard to short-term and long-term oncologic outcomes. The data from 8 RCTs, 3 metaanalyses, and 2 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews was reviewed. Current data suggests that laparoscopic rectal cancer resection may benefit patients with reduced blood loss, earlier return of bowel function, and shorter hospital length of stay. Concerns that laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery compromises short-term oncologic outcomes including number of lymph nodes retrieved and circumferential resection margin and jeopardizes long-term oncologic outcomes has not conclusively been refuted by the available literature. Laparoscopic rectal cancer resection is feasible but whether or not it compromises short-term or long-term results still needs to be further studied.