Journal of Surgery Concepts & Practice ›› 2025, Vol. 30 ›› Issue (04): 358-363.doi: 10.16139/j.1007-9610.2025.04.11

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Evolution and hot topics of laparoscopic sphincter-preserving surgery for low rectal cancer

ZHI Yihao, ZHAO Xuan, ZHENG Minhua   

  1. Department of General Surgery, Gastrointestinal Surgery,Ruijin Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,Shanghai Minimally Invasive Surgery Center,Shanghai 200025,China
  • Received:2024-11-21 Online:2025-07-25 Published:2025-10-23

Abstract:

Rectal cancer is a prevalent malignant tumor both in China and worldwide. Despite the availability of numerous sphincter-preserving procedures for low rectal cancer, each with specific indications, advantages, and limitations, no single procedure achieves optimal outcomes in all key domains: anal function preservation, surgical complication reduction, local recurrence rate minimization, and patient quality of life improvement. This article reviewed the evolutionary trajectory of laparoscopic sphincter-preserving surgery for low rectal cancer, while addressing current surgical challenges including prevention and management of anastomotic leakage, strategies for ensuring adequate distal resection margins, and functional outcomes prognosis. Corresponding countermeasures for these critical issues were systematically discussed.

Key words: Low rectal cancer, Laparoscopy, Sphincter-preserving surgery, Anastomotic leakage

CLC Number: