Low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma.

I n past years. the us" ,a1 surgical correction of rectal carci. noma was abdominal perineal resection with a permanent colostomy. This surgical procedure is very involved, requiring both abdominal and perineal wounds. The rectum is completely removed, leaving a large cavity to heal postoperatively, often with complications including slow healing and/or fistulization. Also, the patient must deal with both the physical and psychologic complications of a permanent colostomy. In many cases, removing the rectal tumor through the abdominal approach is possible, making an anastomosis of colon to the rectum. This leaves the patient with a functioning rectum. The following article will describe the technique used for low anterior resection of a rectal carcinoma.