[Extended radical operation of cancer of the rectum]

Extended radical operation for rectal cancer included the high ligation of inferior mesenteric artery and the dissection of lateral lymph nodes. There was no significant difference between overall survival of extended operation and conventional operation, although in Dukes B cases, 5-year survival rate was significantly higher in extended operation than in conventional. Extended operation caused high incidence of postoperative urinary and sexual dysfunction compared with conventional operation. We conclude that extended radical operation must be performed only in those patients, when tumors locate in the lower part of the rectum and invade beyond the proper muscle layer.