Reoperation for locally recurrent rectal cancer: indication and choice of surgical procedure        FU Chuan-gang, GAO Xian-hua. Department of Colorectal Surgery, Changhai Hospital, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Corresponding author: FU Chuan-gang, E-mail:fugang416@126.com
Abstract    Locally recurrent rectal cancer is difficult to be managed. The 5-year overall survival rate is reported to be as high as 30% if complete resection (R0) had been achieved in reoperation. The reoperation should be strictly confined due to its severe trauma and multiple complications which would even lead to sooner death. It is strongly recommended that, to benefit the patients, the determination of indication and time of reoperation should be initiative and prudent, depending on the type and location of recurrence, extent of recurrent lesions, general condition of patients and the corresponding experience of the surgeon and the hospital.