Cancer of the rectum--sphincter-saving operation. A new technique of coloanal anastomosis

Abstract

The authors describe their technique providing total excision of the rectum and its muscular wall with an anastomosis between the colon and the anal canal at the level of the pectinate line for cancer of the low rectum. Of 20 patients, 17 had good functional results, two required later abdominoperineal resection for local recurrence, and one died of diffuse metastatic spread.