RESUMEN
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to reveal whether a transanal tube (TAT) could act as an alternative to a diverting stoma (DS) after laparoscopic low anterior resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 89 consecutive rectal cancer patients whose tumors were located within 15 cm from the anal verge who underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection without a DS at our institution between May 12, 2015 and August 31, 2019 were included. All patients received a postoperative Gastrografin enema study (GES) through a TAT between the 3rd and 10th postoperative day. We planned two study protocols. From May 12, 2015 to March 31, 2017, we conducted a second operation including a DS construction immediately when radiological anastomotic leakage (rAL) was detected (Group A, n=46). From April 1, 2017 to August 31, 2019, we continued TAT drainage even if rAL was detected and repeated the GES weekly until the rAL was healed (Group B, n=43). RESULTS: In Group A (n=46), 14 cases of rAL were included, 11 of which underwent stoma construction. The remaining 3 patients who refused stoma construction were treated conservatively. In Group B (n=43) rAL was encountered in 10, and 7 of these patients were treated successfully by TAT continuous drainage. The rate of DS in Group B (7.0%) was significantly lower than that in Group A (23.9%) (p=0.028). CONCLUSIONS: A TAT could act as a DS to mitigate the symptoms of anastomotic leakage after laparoscopic low anterior resection.