[Low colorectal anastomosis by the anterior perineal approach. 29 cases]

Using the combined abdominoperineal approach to the rectum through the recto-genital space, very low colo-rectal anastomosis can be performed without damaging the anal sphincter. Twenty-nine patients were operated upon by this procedure for malignant or benign disease of the lower two-thirds of the rectum: there was 2 failure; 6 patients developed transient perineal fistula; 27 patients now have normal anal continence. This technique has been considerably facilitated, notably in males, by stapled anastomosis.