ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and advantages of modified Bacon one-time operation in laparoscopic radical resection for ultra-low rectal cancer.MethodsThe medical records of all patients who underwent laparoscopic modified Bacon procedure for ultra-low rectal cancer treated by Professor SONG Junmin Medical Group of our department from August 2018 to June 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. According to the different methods during the operation, the patients were divided into a modified Bacon one-time operation group (modified Bacon group, n=26) and a Bacon secondary operation group (traditional Bacon group, n=33). The perioperative period data and follow-up results were observed and compared.ResultsA total of 59 ptients were collected, including 26 cases in the modified Bacon group and 33 cases in the traditional Bacon group. There were no significant differences in gender composition, age, etc. baseline data between the two groups (P>0.05). All surgery were successfully completed. There were no conversion to laparotomy, intraoperative or postoperative massive bleeding, severe infection and other serious complications and perioperative period death. The incidence of anastomotic leakage in the modified Bacon group was lower than that of the traditional Bacon group [0.0% (0/26) versus 18.2% (6/33), P=0.030]. There were no significant differences in the incidences of postoperative anastomotic bleeding, anastomotic stricture, rectal irritation, and external intestinal necrosis between the two groups (P>0.05). And the number of dissected lymph nodes, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, the first exhaust time, and postoperative hospital stay had no significant differences between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the severity degree and total score of low anterior rectectomy syndrome (LARS) between the two groups at 3 and 6 months after operation (P>0.05). However, the total LARS score at 6 months after operation was lower than that at 3 months in the same group (P<0.001). By the end of the last follow-up (January 2021), there was no obvious difference in the anal shape between the two kinds of surgery. There was no recurrence or death during the follow-up period.ConclusionModified Bacon one-time operation for ultra-low rectal cancer is safe and feasible, which could achieve natural orififice specimen extraction surgery and ultra-low limit sphincter preservation, reduce occurrence of postoperative anastomotic leakage and external intestinal necrosis, times of operation, and shorten total length of stay and reduce total cost of hospitalization.
Objective To prospectively evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic total mesorectal excision (LTME) with anal sphincter preservation (ASP) for low rectal cancers. Methods From June 2001 to March 2004, 125 patients undergoing LTME and 103 patients undergoing OTME were included in this study. The international standard questionnaires (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR38) were used to evaluate the conditions of patients at 3 periods after surgery respetively: 3-6 months, 12-18 months, gt;24 months. Results In contrast to OTME patients, the LTME ones showed significantly better physical function during 3-6 months after surgery, less micturition problems within 12-18 months, less male sexual problems and better sexual function during 12-18 months after surgery, with better sexual enjoyment after postoperative 24 months. Both groups showed significant improvement in most subscales from the first to the second assessment, and improvement in sexual enjoyment from the second to the third assessment. The sexual function, micturition problems and male sexual problems in LTME group significantly improved from the first to the second assessment, whereas the sexual function in OTME group improved from the second to the third assessment.Conclusion Patients undergoing LTME for low rectal cancers have bette postoperative HRQOL than patients undergoing OTME, with better physical function, micturition function, overall sexual and male sexual functions in short term, and better sexual enjoyment in the long term. The HRQOL of both LTME and OTME patients may be expected to improve over time, particularly in the first postoperative year.