BACKGROUND Options for reconstruction after low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer include straight or side-to-end coloanal anastomosis (CAA), colonic J pouch and transverse coloplasty. This systematic review compared these techniques in terms of function, surgical outcomes and quality of life. METHODS A systematic literature search (MEDLINE, Embase and the Cochrane Library, from ince...

BACKGROUND Neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy has proven superior to adjuvant treatment in reducing the rate of local recurrence without impairing cancer related survival or the incidence of distant metastases. The present study aimed at addressing the effects of an intensified protocol of neoadjuvant treatment on the development of postoperative complications. METHODS A total of 387 patients unde...