Comparison Between Endoscopic Vacuum Therapy and Conventional Treatment for Leakage After Rectal Resection.

Background: Anastomotic leakage after rectal resection represents a severe complication for the patient and requires an early and appropriate management. Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has become the treatment of choice for anastomotic leakage after rectal resection in several institutions in Germany, and commercially available systems are currently distributed in approximately 30 countries worldwide. However, there is no evidence that EVT is superior to any other treatment for anastomotic leakage after rectal resection.

Neoadjuvant radio-chemotherapy prolongs healing of anastomotic leakage after rectal resection treated with endoscopic vacuum therapy.

Background: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy (nRCT) is an important component in the treatment of advanced rectal cancer. Endoscopic vacuum therapy (EVT) has become the treatment of choice for anastomotic leakage after rectal resection in many institutions in Germany. Published case series report on average success and stoma reversal rates of more than 80%.

Intensified neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy for rectal cancer enhances surgical complications.

Background: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy has proven superior to adjuvant treatment in reducing the rate of local recurrence without impairing cancer related survival or the incidence of distant metastases. The present study aimed at addressing the effects of an intensified protocol of neoadjuvant treatment on the development of postoperative complications.

Methods: A total of 387 patients underwent oncological resection for rectal cancer in our institution between January 2000 and December 2009.

Prognosis of rectal cancer patients improves with downstaging by intensified neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy - a matched pair analysis.

Background: Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy has been proven superior to adjuvant treatment in reducing the rate of local recurrence without impairing cancer related survival or the incidence of distant metastases in standard protocols of neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy. The present study aimed at addressing the effects of an intensified neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy on long term cancer related and disease free survival.

Methods: A total of 387 patients underwent oncologic resection for rectal cancer in our institution between January 2000 and December 2009.