Physiological and Anatomical Assessments of Ano-rectal Function after Anterior Resection and Sigmoidectomy for patients with Colorectal Cancer

Kazuhiko Yoshioka, Kazunori Hayata, Youichi Matsui, Osamu Yamada, Michinobu Sakaguchi, Hideho Takada, Koshiro Hioki, Masakatsu Yamamoto

Department of Surgery, Kansai Medical University

A prospective study was carried out to assess functional restoration after anterior resection and sigmoidectomy in patients with colorectal cancer. Clinical, physiological and anatomical assessments were made in 18 patients with colorectal cancer preoperatively and 2, 6 and 12 months after the operation. Twelve patients moved their bowels more than 4 times a day 2 months after the operation (poor result) while 6 patients defaecated less than 3 times a day (good result). The distance between the anal verge and the anastomotic region was significantly shorter in the poor result group than in the good result group. Resting anal pressure was not changed significantly after the operation in the good result group while it was significantly decreased in the poor result group. Maximum tolerable volume and rectal compliance were significantly decreased after the operation in the poor result group. The pelvic floor descent was significantly increased after the operation in the poor result group. These results suggest that functional restoration after surgery is associated with the distance between the anal verge and the anastomotic region, resting anal pressure, maximum tolerable volume, rectal compliance and pelvic floor descent.

Key words
functional restoration, anterior resection, sigmoidectomy, resting anal canal pressure, rectal compliance

Reprint requests
Kazuhiko Yoshioka Department of Surgery, Kansai Medical University
1-Fumizono, Moriguchi, 570 JAPAN

Accepted
May 8, 1991

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