European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology
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The combination of advances in surgical technique and neoadjuvant therapy for rectal cancer has resulted in more patients undergoing sphincter-preserving surgery. Unfortunately, numerous patients subsequently experience bowel dysfunction, and may suffer from lifelong severe disability with major impact on their quality of life. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the risk of severe LARS in patients was associated with the length of remnant rectum. ⋯ Both the length of remnant rectum and preoperative chemoradiotherapy had a major impact on the severity of bowel dysfunction after restorative rectal cancer surgery. No functional benefit from an irradiated rectal remnant was observed.
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Multicenter Study
Variation in circumferential resection margin: Reporting and involvement in the South-Netherlands.
Since the introduction of total mesorectal surgery the outcome of rectal cancer patients has improved significantly. Involvement of the circumferential resection margin (CRM) is an important predictor of increased local recurrence, distant metastases and decreased overall survival. Abdomino perineal excision (APE) is associated with increased risk of CRM involvement. Aim of this study was to analyze reporting of CRM and to identify predictive factors for CRM involvement. ⋯ Although significant improvements are made during the last years there still is variation in reporting of CRM involvement in the Southern Netherlands. In multivariate analysis APE was no longer associated with increased risk of CRM involvement.