Purpose: Data on perioperative outcomes of sphincter preserving ultra low anterior resections (ULAR) following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NA-CTRT) is sparsely reported in literature.
Methods: Prospective data of 68 patients was reviewed retrospectively. Patients who received preoperative chemoradiotherapy (CTRT, Group A, n = 45) were compared with those who were operated upfront (Group B, n = 23).
Results: Overall, mean distance of the tumor from anal verge was 5.1 cm (range 3-8). In Groups A and B, it was 5.2 and 5.1 cm, respectively. In Group A, 3 patients had complete response, 40 had partial response and 2 had progressive disease. Overall, the mean distance of the anastomosis performed from the anal verge was 2.8 cm (range 1-4). In Groups A and B, it was 2.7 and 2.9 cm, respectively (NS). Mean blood loss in Groups A and B was 510.5 (range 200-2,200) and 345 mL (range 50-800), respectively (p = 0.037). Two patients in Group A required blood transfusion (range 1-2) compared to none in Group B. The overall complication rate was 26.5 % (18/68); in Groups A and B, it was 22.2 % and 34.8 %, respectively. There was no postoperative mortality. Postoperative stay for Groups A and B was 8 and 9.5 days (p = 0.009), respectively. In Group A, 23/45 patients, earlier planned for abdominoperineal resection, ultimately received sphincter-preserving ULAR.
Conclusion: ULAR can be performed safely without added morbidity or mortality after neoadjuvant chemoradiation. In some cases, earlier deemed to be suitable for APR, the neoadjuvant approach improved chances of sphincter conservation.