Risk of Permanent Stoma after Sphincter-Saving Resection for Mid-to-Lower Rectal Cancer

Background: Due to the technical progress with the advent of mechanical stapling devices, introduction of total mesorectal excision and long course neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy in the treatment of rectal cancer over the last decades, the number of sphincter-saving resection (SSR) in rectal cancer increased constantly. Despite the avoidance of a permanent stoma for patients with rectal cancer, some patients end up with a permanent stoma for different reasons. The aim of our study was to evaluate the risk of a permanent stoma after curative intended SSR of mid-to-lower rectal cancer. Methods: In a retrospective c…