The effect of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic on sphincter preserving surgery for rectal cancer: A single referral center experience.

Background: COVID-19 has significantly impacted healthcare worldwide. Lack of screening and limited access to healthcare has delayed diagnosis and treatment of various malignancies. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic on sphincter-preserving surgery in patients with rectal cancer.