The Impact of Emergency Surgery versus Self-expanding Metallic Stents on Anal Function and Quality of Life in Patients with Complete Obstructing Left-sided Colon Cancer

Abstract Background: Emergence surgery (ES) and self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) are traditional approaches for complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer. A strategy of “stents-chemotherapy-surgery” was applied in our center recently. Studies assessing the anal function and quality of life of patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer are still lacking.Methods: Patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer were included, and three treatment strategies were used, including ES, SEMS, and SEMS followed by neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer. The Wexner, Vaizey, and low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores were used to assess anal function and the EORTC QLQ C30 score was used to assess quality of life. Logistic regression analysis was used to detect risk factors affecting short-term anal function of patients.RESULTS: The Wexner scores were similar among the groups during the follow-up period. The Vaizey (H=18.415, P=0.001) and LARS scores (H=3.660, P=0.04) both revealed that anal function among patients receiving SEMS and NACwas significantly better than patients who underwent ES at the 1-month post-operative follow-up evaluation; no significant difference existed at the 6- and 12-month follow-up evaluations. The EORTC QLQ C30 score revealed that social function of patients receiving SEMS and NAC was also significantly better than patients undergoing ES (H=7.035, P=0.03). Logistic regression analysis suggested that a one-stage stoma in an emergent setting is an independent risk factor for short-term reduction of anal function among patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer (OR=5.238, 95% CI: 1.569~17.484, P=0.007).Conclusion: Compared to ES, SEMS might be able to improve the quality of life and short-term anal function in patients with complete obstructing left-sided colon cancer.