RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Benign anastomotic strictures after rectal cancer surgery are common and their treatment can vary from conservative measures to surgical resection. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between March 2001 and August 2008, 422 patients with rectal cancer underwent anterior resection and 83.8% were treated with primary anastomosis. Anastomotic stricture has been defined as the inability to pass a colonoscope. Hydrostatic balloon dilation was performed. Results of success and failure dilation were assessed. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients (7.34%) with anastomotic stricture were treated; 16 men and 10 women, with a median age of 66 years (57-74). A total of 26 anterior resections were performed, as well as 10 end-to-end anastomosis, 10 side-to-end, 4 j-pouch and 2 pouch coloplasties. The median stricture height was 10cms (4-12). Thirteen patients had preoperative radiotherapy (50%), and 9 patients had an ileostomy (34.7%). The median time of diagnosis was 6 months (3-10). The diagnosis was made by: rectal digital examination in 19.2%, colonoscopy 23.1% and clinical symptoms in 57.7%. The median number of dilation sessions required was 2 (1-4). The median of follow-up was 39 months (23 to 49). Results were successful 88.5,% and unsuccessful in 11.5%. Morbidity was 3.8% (one perforation after dilation). There was no mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Benign anastomotic strictures after rectal cancer surgery are frequent (7.05%), develop symptoms (52.9%) and can be successfully treated by hydrostatic dilation in more than 88% patients.