Isolated repeated anastomotic recurrence after sigmoidectomy

Abstract

Repeated anastomotic recurrence (AR) of colonic cancer is uncommon. We report a case of a double-isolated AR after sigmoidectomy. In 2003, a 60-year-old woman underwent stapled sigmoid resection for a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Further rectal bleeding occurred after six months, and colonoscopy detected an AR. Thus, an additional stapled colorectal anastomosis was performed. Ten months later, a colonoscopy detected a circumferential AR that prompted the completion of a second colorectal resection, with a double-stapled colorectal anastomosis. Twenty-four hours after surgery, a massive pulmonary embolism occurred, and the patient died within a few hours. At present, only six cases of repeated isolated AR have been described. Repeated segmental colorectal resections are generally associated with a favourable prognosis, with a median survival rate of 45 mo (range, 13-132 mo). Repeated isolated ARs are rare, and segmental colorectal resections are generally associated with long-term disease-free survival.

Keywords: Repeated Anastomotic Recurrence; Stapled Anastomosis; Viable Exfoliated Cells

Core tip: We report a case of a double isolated anastomotic recurrence (AR) after sigmoidectomy. At present, only six cases of repeated isolated AR have been described. Repeated isolated ARs are rare, and segmental colorectal resections are generally associated with long-term disease-free survival.