Factors

Group A (n = 20)

Group B (n = 40)

p value

Male/Female

17/3

23/17

0.033

Age (years)

63.3 (44 - 78)

61.9 (47 - 77)

ns

Depth of cancer invasion

T1 (n = 44)

70.0% (14/20)

75.0% (30/40)

ns

T2 (n = 16)

30.0% (6/20)

25.0% (10/40)

Lymph node metastasis

No

100% (20/20)

100% (40/40)

ns

Pathological stage

Stage I

100% (20/20)

100% (40/40)

ns

Preservation of bilateral hypogastric nerves and pelvic plexuses

Preservation

100% (20/20)

100% (40/40)

ns

Level of anastomosis from the dentate line (cm)

2.4 ± 1.7 cm

4.3 ± 0.9 cm

<0.001

(2 - 4)

(3 - 6)

Past history

No

100% (20/20)

100% (40/40)

ns

Postoperative complications

Wound infection

10% (2/20)

10% (4/40)

ns