Laparoscopic intersphincteric resection with intraoperative radiotherapy using low-energy X-rays for locally advanced ultra-low rectal cancer

Latest Advances in Intersphincteric Resection for Low Rectal Cancer

Background

Intersphincteric resection (ISR) has been a preferable alternative to abdominoperineal resection (APR) for anal preservation in patients with low rectal cancer. Laparoscopic ISR and robotic ISR have been widely used with the proposal of 2 cm or even 1 cm rule of distal free margin and the development of minimally invasive technology. The aim of this review was to describe the newest advancements of ISR.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was performed to identify studies on ISR techniques, preoperative chemoradiotherapy (PCRT), complications, oncological outcomes, and functional outcomes and thereby to summarize relevant information and controversies involved in ISR.

Results

Although PCRT is employed to avoid positive circumferential resection margin (CRM) and decrease local recurrence, it tends to engender damage of anorectal function and patients' quality of life (QoL). Common complications after ISR include anastomotic leakage (AL), anastomotic stricture (AS), urinary retention, fistula, pelvic sepsis, and prolapse. CRM involvement is the most important predictor for local recurrence. Preoperative assessment and particularly rectal endosonography are essential for selecting suitable patients. Anal dysfunction is associated with age, PCRT, location and growth of anastomotic stoma, tumour stage, and resection of internal sphincter.

Conclusions

The ISR technique seems feasible for selected patients with low rectal cancer. However, the postoperative QoL as a result of functional disorder should be fully discussed with patients before surgery.

Solitary adrenal metastasis from advanced gastric cancer invading duodenal bulb with situs inversus totalis: A case report

RATIONALE

Situs invsersus totalis (SIT) is a rare anomaly featured by complete inversion of abdominal and thoracic organs. Adrenal metastasis is often encountered as part of advanced systemic dissemination, which is usually unresectable. Few published cases reported the adrenal metastasis from gastric cancer with SIT and the treatment of gastrectomy combined with adrenalectomy, especially with intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT).

PATIENT CONCERNS

A 61-year-old SIT man found a mass on the right clavicle and the biopsy revealed a metastatic cancer. Around 14 years ago, he had a rectal cancer resection surgery and no sign of occurrence. Five months later, the patient had a pain in his right low abdomen and abdominal CT found a right adrenal mass.

DIAGNOSES

Gastroscopy and the pathology revealed the gastric antrum cancer invading the duodenal bulb. Abdominal enhanced CT suspected the adrenal mass as a hematoma, but positron emission tomography computed tomography suspected it as the metastases of gastric cancer which is consistent with the pathology results. Finally, the SIT patient was diagnosed with primary gastric cancer invading duodenal bulb with solitary right adrenal metastasis.

INTERVENTIONS

The patient was treated with curative distal gastrectomy and Billroth-II anastomosis with D2 lymphadenectomy. A total 18 Gy intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) using low energy x-rays by Intrabeam were given after resection.

OUTCOMES

The patient had liver metastasis in the seventh month after surgery but there is no sign of local recurrence until now.

LESSONS

Gastric cancer with adrenal metastasis, especially with SIT is rare and intractable. The result suggested that active surgical treatment for resectable gastric cancer and solitary adrenal metastatic tumor, especially in combination with IORT may be an option in controlling local relapse and prolonging survival in selected patients.