Survival and local recurrence after anterior resection and abdominoperineal excision for rectal cancer

The aim of this retrospective study is to compare the outcome of abdominoperineal excision (APE) and anterior resection (AR) for rectal cancer in 136 patients. Local recurrence rates and 5-year survival probabilities were estimated for the AR and APE group. Further comparisons were carried out between hand-sewn and stapled anastomoses after AR, and between patients after AR and APE for tumours 2 to 6 cm from the dentate line. Local recurrence after AR occurred in 14% and after APE in 10% of these cases. Five-year survival probabilities and local recurrence frequencies showed no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05). Local recurrence rates were 13.5% after hand-sewn anastomoses and 15% after the stapled procedure. No statistically significant difference was observed in the 5-year survival and recurrence rate (P > 0.05). Seventy-four of 136 patients had tumours located 2 to 6 cm from the dentata line. Local recurrence occurred in 21% after AR and 5% after APE, showing a statistically significant difference in frequency (P < 0.05). No significant difference was found in cumulative 5-year survival probabilities. APE for advanced low rectal cancer showed a significant reduction in local recurrences compared to AR.