Background A circumferential resection margin (CRM) of 1·0 mm or less after rectal cancer surgery is thought to increase the risk of local recurrence (LR). This retrospective population‐based study examined how CRM distance affects the LR risk. Methods Data from the Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry were used in a retrospective analysis of rectal cancers resected between 2005 and 2013. The primary endpoint was LR. Results A total of 12 146 patients were identified, of whom 8392 were included in the analysis; 739 patients had a CRM of 1·0 mm or less and 7653 had a CRM larger than 1·0 mm. The mean follow‐up time was 51 months. There were 66 LRs (8·9 per cent) in the group with a CRM of 1·0 mm or less, and 256 (3·3 per cent) among patients with a CRM larger than 1·0 mm. The LR rate was 17·0 per cent (27 of 159), 6·7 per cent (39 of 580), 1·9 per cent (2 of 103) and 3·4 per cent (254 of 7550) when the CRM was 0, 0·1–1·0, 1·1–1·9 and at least 2·0 mm respectively. The risk of LR among patients with a CRM of 0 mm was higher than that in all other subgroups with a larger CRM (P < 0·050). There was no difference in LR between the subgroups with CRM 1·1–1·9 mm and at least 2·0 mm. LR was diagnosed earlier when the CRM was 1·0 mm or less. Conclusion LR risk is related to exact CRM, with the highest risk in patients with a CRM of 0 mm. Close monitoring of patients with no measurable clear margin may allow early detection of LR.

PMR in recurrent groin hernia surgery was associated with a lower 2nd recurrence rate compared to anterior. A posterior approach for 1st recurrent operation is recommended after an anterior index repair and an anterior approach after a posterior index operation.

Objective: To evaluate circumferential resection margin (CRM) as a risk factor for distant metastasis (DM) in rectal cancer. Summary of Background Data: The treatment of rectal cancer has evolved over the last decades. Surgical radicality is considered the most important factor in preventing recurrences including local and distant. CRM ≤1.0 mm is considered to increase recurrence risk. This study explores the risk of DM in relation to exact CRM. Methods: All patients treated with abdominal resection surgery for rectal cancer between 2005 and 2013 in Sweden were eligible for inclusion in this retrospective study. Primary endpoint was DM.Results: Twelve thousand one hundred forty-six cases were identified. Eight thousand five hundred ninety-three cases were analyzed after exclusion. Seven hundred seventeen (8.6%) patients had CRM ≤1.0mm and 7577 (91.4%) patients had CRM >1.0 mm. DM recurrence rate at 5 years was 42.1% (95% CI 32.5-50.3), 31.5% (95% CI 27.3-35.5), 25.8% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 16.2-34.4), and 19.5% (95% CI 18.5-19.5) when CRM was 0.0 mm, 0.1 to 1.0 mm, 1.1 to 1.9 mm, and CRM ≥2mm, respectively. Multivariable analysis revealed higher DM risk in CRM 0.0-1.0 mm versus >1.0 mm (hazard ratio 1.30, 95% CI 1.05-1.60; P = 0.015). No significant difference in DM risk in CRM 1.1-1.9 mm versus ≥2.0 mm (hazard ratio 0.66, 95% CI 0.34-1.28; P = 0.224) could be detected. Conclusions: The risk of DM decreases with increasing CRM. Moreover, CRM ≤1.0 mm is a significant risk factor for DM. Thus, CRM is a dominant factor when discussing risk of DM after rectal cancer surgery.