Laparoscopic-assisted anterior resection with double-stapling technique anastomosis: safe and feasible for lower rectal cancer?

Background Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer has been considered more demanding than laparoscopic colectomy due to its technical difficulties. Objective The aim of this study was to show safety and feasibility of laparoscopic low anterior resection for lower rectal cancer reconstructed by double-stapling technique (DST). Methods The present study reviewed 159 patients with rectal cancer undergoing laparoscopic anterior resection reconstructed by DST. They were subdivided into two groups: 98 patients with upper rectal cancer located between 75 and 150 mm from the anal verge (group A) and 61 with lower rectal cancer located within 75 mm from the anal verge (group B). Short-term results and pathological findings were compared between the two groups. Results There was no conversion in both groups. Operating time and intraoperative blood loss were similar in the two groups. No mortality occurred in either group. Overall morbidity rate was 10.2% in group A and 11.5% in group B (p = 0.798). Anastomotic leak rate was similar in the two groups (2.0% in group A versus 3.3% in group B; p = 0.638). Pathological examination of resected specimen showed no involvement of distal resection margin or circumferential resection margin in both groups. Conclusions The present study shows that laparoscopic surgery is safe and feasible for lower rectal cancer in a very select group of patients.