[Personal experience with anterior resection of the rectum]

Authors experience in the Dixon's operation regarding the surgical treatment of cancer of the rectum and recto-sigmoid junction is reviewed. It consists in 224 cases of malignant lesions which were treated by Miles operation (106 cases--47%), Dixon's operation (49 cases--21%), palliation anterior resection (16 cases--7%), other operations (53 cases--24%). After a brief discussion on anatomo-pathological conditions and tecniques, the Authors consider their results: operatory mortality 4%; complications: total anastomosis dehiscence 1 case, partial anastomosis dehiscence 14%; local repetitions 10%; hepatic metastasis within 5 ys 40%; survival at 5 ys 46%. Functional results were always very good. The Authors conclude that, even considering the large rate (56%) of wide-spread cancers treated, Dixon's operation, at least in their experience, doesn't seem to satisfy those needs of radically requested by a correct surgical therapy, which only Miles' operation guarantees.