[Clinical significance of length of rectal margins. Difference between intraoperation and fixation with formalin]

The minimal safe margin of resection is often considered 2-3 cm distal to a rectal tumour. However this margin length can change greatly depending on the time when it is measured. The change of the rectal length was observed in 6 persons during and after resection and in the specimen fixed with formalin. The rectal segment was longer after resection and shorter when fixed with formalin than its original in vivo length. A close correlation of the length of the rectum was found between intraoperation and postresection or fixation with formalin. So, the actual length of distal margin of anterior resection varied dramatically depending upon the time and method by which the margin was determined. Clinicopathological data from different groups were comparable with the linear correlation established in this study.