[Selection of the treatment method in rectal cancer]

From 1956 to 1982, 4126 patients suffering from rectal cancer underwent surgery, 3229 of them had radical operations. The total postoperative mortality rate came up to 7.1% (n = 295) in the radical operated group it was 6.6% (n = 214). Between 1956 to 1982 continence preserving surgical procedures were constantly on the increase 1956: 46.4%, 1982: 66.8%). In 160 patients who underwent exstirpation of the rectum with final colostomy a closing magnetic device was implanted around the colostomy. 40 patients who underwent a rectal pull through had a myoplastic operation to substitute a new anal sphincter using a portion of the adductor longus femoris muscle. Preoperative X-ray therapy (2000-3000 rad in 5 days) in 217 patients with rectal carcinoma yielded no significant improvement of the 5 years survival rate.