Results of mesorectal excision n (%) Macroscopic assessment (n=66) Complete 42 63.6 Nearly complete 24 36.4 Distal resection margin (n=49 *) Mean (SD) 24.5 ± 13.6 mm Negative 48 98.0 Positive 1 2.0 CRM (n=66) Negative 65 98.5 Positive 1 1.5 *: 4 patients were convertedto open surgery (of which 3 in 52 patients LAR group and 1 in APR group).