Table 2 Baseline characteristics and type of surgery of 336 eligible patients

Age (median–range)

61 (22–86)

61 (24–89)

0.88

Sex—no. (%)

0.082

 Male

80 (45)

57 (36)

 Female

97 (55)

102 (64)

Clinical tm stage—no. (%)

0.82

 Grade 2

82 (46)

72 (45)

 Grade 3

95 (54)

87 (55)

Tm localization—no. (%)

p < 0.001

 Lower third (0 < 5 cm)

97 (55)

52 (33)

 Middle third (5 < 10 cm)

67 (38)

52 (33)

 Upper third (10 < 15 cm)

13 (7)

55 (34)

Type of resection—no. (%)

p < 0.001

 AR

10 (5.6)

42 (26.4)

 LAR, intersphincteric

91 (51.4)

67 (42.1)

 APR

72 (40.7)

39 (24.5)

 Total proctocolectomy

4 (2.3)

11 (6.9)

*MVR resection—n

0.11

 Total

14

2

 True invasion

8

2