Quantitative short-term study of Anal sphincter function after chemoradiation for rectal cancer

Hypothesis: Pelvic irradiation adversely affects anal
sphincter function after proctectomy with coloanal anastomosis
for low rectal and middle rectal (,10 cm from
the anal verge) tumors.
Design: Case-control study.
Setting: Private, tertiary care referral center.
Patients: Patients treated for low rectal adenocarcinoma
between January 1, 1994, and October 31, 1999.
Interventions: Anal manometric data were prospectively
collected at the time of initial diagnosis and before
ileostomy closure.
Main Outcome Measures: Mean and maximum resting
pressures (RPs) and squeeze pressures, threshold volume
for sensation, and maximal tolerable volume.
Results: Twenty-three patients in the surgery group and
19 in the chemoradiotherapy group were considered for