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Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery 4/2009

01-04-2009 | original article

Postoperative Morbidity Following Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Low Rectal Cancer

Authors: Ingrid Stelzmueller, Matthias Zitt, Felix Aigner, Reinhold Kafka-Ritsch, Robert Jäger, Alexander De Vries, Peter Lukas, Wolfgang Eisterer, Hugo Bonatti, Dietmar Öfner

Published in: Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery | Issue 4/2009

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Abstract

Background

Postoperative morbidity remains a significant clinical problem and may alter long-term outcome particularly after neoadjuvant chemoradiation in patients with locally advanced low rectal cancer. The aim of the present study was to identify a potential long-term effect of postoperative morbidity.

Methods

Analysis of prospectively collected data of 90 consecutive patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiation and curative mesorectal excision for locally advanced (cT3/4, Nx, M0/1) adenocarcinoma of the mid and lower third of the rectum during a 7-year period (1996–2002).

Results

Major postoperative complications occurred in 17.8% and minor complications in 26.6% of patients. Hospital mortality and 30-day mortality was 0%. Infectious complications were seen in 34.5%. The leading causes of infectious complications were anastomotic leakage and perineal wound infection. Postoperative morbidity was statistically significantly associated with gender (P < 0.05), pre-therapeutic haemoglobin level (P < 0.05), ASA score (P < 0.05), hospitalisation (P < 0.001) and clinical long-time course (P < 0.01). Moreover, early postoperative morbidity was proven as an independent prognostic factor concerning disease-free (P < 0.05) and overall survival (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Early postoperative morbidity in patients with preoperative chemoradiation due to locally advanced low rectal cancer is demonstrated as an independent prognosticator. Gender, pre-therapeutic haemoglobin level and ASA score indicate patients at risk for early postoperative complications and may therefore serve as predictive features.
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Metadata
Title
Postoperative Morbidity Following Chemoradiation for Locally Advanced Low Rectal Cancer
Authors
Ingrid Stelzmueller
Matthias Zitt
Felix Aigner
Reinhold Kafka-Ritsch
Robert Jäger
Alexander De Vries
Peter Lukas
Wolfgang Eisterer
Hugo Bonatti
Dietmar Öfner
Publication date
01-04-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery / Issue 4/2009
Print ISSN: 1091-255X
Electronic ISSN: 1873-4626
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11605-008-0760-z

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