Tumors of the rectum and anus

Within a ten year period we have performed 433 radical operations on the rectum. An anterior resection of rectum was done in 110 cases, low anterior resection in 60 patients, very low anterior resection was done by stapler in 32 patients and was sewn by hand in 10 patients. Colo-anal anastomoses were performed 86 times and abdominoperineal amputation of rectum sec. Miles 20 times. Local transsphincteric procedures were used 14 times. In 12 patients the colo-anal anastomosis was performed either for recurrence of tumor or after a Hartmann's procedure. In the carcinoma of the lower half of the rectum there is still an unsolved question: whether to perform a low or a very deep low anastomosis or whether an extirpation of rectum with sparing the sphincters and sewing a colo-anal anastomosis is more beneficial. In the years 1980-1995 we treated surgically 64 patients with a tumor in anal area. All patient underwent preoperative radio- and chemotherapy. In our group adenocarcinoma was demonstrated in 6 patients, squamous carcinoma in 48 patients and squamous cells of the carcinoma in situ in 10 patients.