The transverse coloplasty pouch is technically easy and safe and improves functional outcomes after low rectal cancer resection—a single center experience with 397 patients

Background Following resection for low rectal cancer, numerous patients suffer from frequent bowel movements, fecal urgency, and incontinence. Although there is good evidence that colonic J-pouch reconstruction, side-to-end anastomosis, or a transverse coloplasty pouch (TCP) improves functional outcome, many surgeons still prefer straight coloanal anastomosis because it is technically easier and lacks the risk of pouch-associated complications. The present single-center study aimed to evaluate the practicability of TCPs in routine clinical practice as well as pouch-related complications. Method All consecutive patients who underwent low anterior rectal resection with restoration of bowel continuity for cancer during the period September 2008 to June 2018 were included. A TCP in combination with a diverting ileostomy was defined as the hospital standard. The feasibility and safety of TCPs were assessed in a retrospective single-center study. Results A total of 397 patients were included in the study. A total of 328/397 patients underwent TCP construction (82.6%). Two pouch-related surgical complications occurred (0.6%); one case of pouch-related stenosis and one case of sutural insufficiency. Overall, leakage of the coloanal anastomosis was reported in 14.1% of patients with a TCP and in 18.8% of patients without a pouch (p=0.252). Diverting ileostomy was applied in 378/397 patients (95.2%). The 30-day mortality was 0.25%. Conclusion The present study is by far the largest single-center experience with TCP construction for low rectal cancer resection. The study shows that a TCP is technically applicable in the vast majority of cases (82.6%). Pouch-associated surgical complications are sporadic events. In our opinion, the TCP can be considered an alternative to J-pouch construction after low anterior rectal resection.