Exposure and manipulation of rectal lesions

The methods of treatment for benign tumors of the rectum are by local removal or local destruction. The benign status of the tumor must be determined histologically or by gross morphology before treatment is instituted. The approaches are either transanal or by posterior proctotomy. The following procedures have been employed with excellent results for the past 30 years at the Ferguson Clinic: (1) transanally, by local excision, local destruction, or snare removal; and (2) by the posterior proctotomy approach for benign tumors that could not be removed transanally because of size or inaccessibility. A "two scope technique" first devised in 1969 has been used with great success since.