Feasibility of sparing the rectoprostatic fascia (rpf) during total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer is confirmed. Out of 785 patients, 63.4% successfully had the rpf preserved. Surgical specimen quality remained high. Urogenital function integrity at six months post-surgery was compromised in 27.9% of rpf-sparing cases compared to 41% in traditional surgeries. Notably, local and systemic recurrence rates at three years were comparable between both groups, showcasing the importance of rpf-sparing for preserving urogenital function, especially in younger patients.
Review by Nikolouzakis TK, Gouvas N (…) Tsiaoussis J et 3 al. in Tech Coloproctol
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