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

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 -