Objective:To investigate efficiency of potentiallycure surgery with autonomic nerves preservation for rectal cancer,and its effects on urinary and sexual functions. Methods:The clinical data of 560 male cases with rectal cases performed by radical resection from January 1992 to January 2002 were retrospectively reviewed.Among them,the autonomic nerves of 408 cases were fully preserved,with 50 cases laterally or partly preserved,and 102 cases totally sacrificed. Results:The urinary function in 93.5% of cases with autonomic nerves spare surgery,in 63.6% of cases with laterally or partly nerve preservation surgery and 29.5% of cases with nerve sacrifice surgery were well preserved.In 408 cases operated with fully nerve spare surgery,408 cases had normal erection,and 59 cases (85.5%) had fine ejaculation,and 59 cases (14.5%) experienced sperm reflux.In 50 cases with partly nerve preservation surgery,the rate was 90% (45/50),52.5% (26/50),and 38.2% (19/50) respectively.While in 102 cases with nerve sacrifice surgery,none had normal erection or ejaculatory function.The total local relapse rate in the study was 10.2%,and the 5year survival rate was 74.1%.The local recurrence rate and 5year survival rate in fully nerves spare group was 10.2% and 74.1%,in partly nerve preservation group was 13.3% and 68.8%,and in nerves sacrifice group was 24.5% and 45.5%,respectively. Conclusion:For rectal cancer patients,the radical surgery with autonomic nerves preservation ensures the fine the urinary and sexual functions.
