Neoadjuvant radio-chemotherapy (NRCT) represents a milestone in the treatment of selected rectal tumours. Ideal time interval between the end of NRCT and surgery is still debated; a 6-8 weeks time interval is considered optimal, but shorter or longer intervals have been associated with better oncological outcomes. Moreover, there is a lack of data about clinical postoperative outcomes and different time intervals after the end of NRCT. Here, effect that different time intervals have on postoperative complications with particular regard to the anastomotic dehiscence have been evaluated.

Methods One hundred-sixty-seven patients underwent surgery after long-course NRCT. Three different time intervals were considered: (0-42; 43-56; >57 days).

Neoadjuvant radio-chemotherapy (NRCT) represents a milestone in the treatment of selected rectal adenocarcinoma. Even though a 6-8 weeks' time interval after the end of NRCT and surgery is considered ideal, the optimal time for surgery is still controversial.

Inclusion Criteria:

- patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent to resection after combined NRCT at University Campus Bio-Medico di Roma from January 2005 to March 2015.

To evaluate the anastomotic dehiscence were excluded patients undergone to Abdomino-perineal resection (APR) and 4 patients for whom data were not available.

One hundred and sixty-seven patients with rectal adenocarcinoma who underwent to resection after combined NRCT at University Campus Bio-Medico di Roma from January 2005 to March 2015 were retrospectively analysed.