Quality of Life in Patients That Undergo J Pouch or Side to End Coloanal Anastomosis for Rectal Cancer

A Randomized, Controlled Trial to Compare the Functional Outcome and Quality of Life in Patients With Low Rectal Cancer Who Undergo a J Pouch or a Side to End Coloanal Anastomosis

The investigators hypothesis is that the patients who receive a side to end anastomosis have bowel outcome and quality of life that is equivalent to those who receive a J pouch.

The side to end anastomosis has become popular in recent years as it is technically simple to construct. The difference between the Baker type(side to end) of anastomosis and the J pouch, is that no formal pouch is constructed in the side to end. It has one staple line and the anastomosis.

The investigators hypothesis is that the patients who receive a side to end anastomosis have bowel outcome and quality of life that is equivalent to those who receive a J pouch.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with distal rectal cancers who will be having an abdominal proctocolectomy with a low colorectal anastomosis within 4 cm of the dentate line or a coloanal anastomosis will be candidates for this study.
2. No evidence of distant metastatsis -

Exclusion Criteria: Stage IV rectal cancer

1. History of radiation to the pelvis ( eg. for uterine or prostatic cancer)
2. Evidence of synchronus or metachronus disease
3. H/o dementia
4. Prisoners
5. Women who are pregnant
6. History of previous Right Colectomy
7. History of inflammatory bowel disease -