Total mesorectum resection and coloanal anastomosis with J colonic reservoir for treatment of medium and low rectum cancer

INTRODUCTION: Proctosigmoidectomy with total mesorectum resection, reservoir in J and colorectal is useful in patients with low and middle rectum cancer, to avoid the definite terminal colostomy. The aim of present paper was to analyze the feasibility of such surgical technique, the multidisciplinary integral treatment and the results obtained. METHODS: Fifteen patients were studied suffering of low and middle adenocarcinoma treated between January, 1996 and December, 2002 in Splanchnic Surgery Service of National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology of La Habana City. Treatment included a combination of radiotherapy plus neocoadjuvant concurrent chemotherapy, followed by adjuvant chemotherapy and surgery. RESULTS: Mean age of patients was of 56 years. The adenocarcinoma was the histological type diagnosed in all patients. Tumor staging the following: T1 and T2, in four patients (27%, respectively); T3 in seven patients (46%). Four patients (20%) had complications due to radiation treatment and five (33,3%), by surgical treatment. Surgical mortality occurred in one patient (6,6%) and eleven patients (73,3%) survived over 5 years. Neither patient had pelvic tumor relapse or by colorectal anastomosis. There was good sphincter continence. CONCLUSIONS: Total mesorectum resection and colorectal anastomosis with a colonic reservoir in J prevent the definite terminal colostomy, to cure a high percentage of patients with low and middle rectum cancer without respecting the oncology surgery principles, is well accepted by patients and it is feasible in our practice.