The curative treatment of rectal cancer at the Cleveland Clinic

This article reviews the policy of the Cleveland Clinic regarding the curative treatment of rectal cancer. The use of Turnbull's no-touch technic permits avoidance of peroperative tumor seeding via the lumen of the bowel or the lymphovascular pedicle. The postoperative accumulation of blood in the presacral space is precluded by leaving the peritoneum of the pelvis open and by irrigation and suction via sump drains. The authors review the different factors influencing the choice of treatment.