[Anastomosis dehiscence in anterior resection of the rectum with total excision of the mesorectum].

Anterior rectal resection with total mesorectal excision is currently regarded as the operation of choice in patients with neoplasms of the extraperitoneal rectum. This operation is associated with a significant incidence of anastomotic dehiscence. Some authors, therefore, advise the execution of a protective stoma. From 1987 to 2000, 241 patients with rectal neoplasma were submitted to radical surgery: 183 to anterior rectal resection (extraperitoneal neoplasms in 129 cases and intraperitoneal neoplasms in 54) and 58 to a Miles operation. The total incidence of anastomotic complications was 8.1% (15 patients). In 12 cases (6.5%) a clinical dehiscence was observed, while in 3 patients (1.6%) an asymptomatic fistula was present. In the patients with symptomatic dehiscence a colostomy was performed in 5 cases (42%), while in 7 cases (58%) a conservative approach was adopted (total parenteral nutrition and antibiotic therapy), with complete healing of the fistula. The incidence of anastomotic complications was 9.3% in extraperitoneal neoplasms and 5.6% in intraperitoneal localizations. In relation to the anastomotic technique adopted, the incidence of dehiscences was 25% after 8 Knight-Griffen anastomoses, 16% after 12 manual anastomoses and 7.3% after 163 end-to-end mechanical anastomoses (P = NS). The percentage of anastomotic complications was greater in the period from 1995 to 1997, compared to the period from 1987 to 1994 (12.6% vs 3.8%, P = NS), due to the routine execution of rectal resection in conjunction with total mesorectal excision, particularly at the beginning of the experience, in 1995. In the last 36 cases from 1998 on the incidence of anastomotic complications was reduced to 8.3%, after the learning phase. No related mortality was observed. On the basis of our experience and the evidence reported in the international literature we do not think the execution of a protective stoma is justified after low and ultra-low colorectal anastomosis, except in selected cases.