Risk Factors for Anastomotic Leakage After Intersphincteric Resection Without a Protective Defunctioning Stoma for Lower Rectal Cancer

Background Intersphincteric resection (ISR) is performed as an alternative to abdominoperineal resection for super-low rectal cancer. The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for anastomotic leakage (AL) after ISR without a defunctioning stoma for lower rectal cancer. Methods Between 1995 and 2012, 135 consecutive patients with lower rectal cancer underwent curative ISR without a protective defunctioning stoma. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors for AL. Results The radiological and symptomatic AL rate was 17.0 % (23/135). Univariate analysis demonstrated that male sex ( P = 0.030), preoperative chemotherapy ( P = 0.016), partial ISR ( P