[Continence in low resections]

Anorectal function is an important problem after low anterior resection procedure. This paper reports the results from 14 patients undergoing to low resection at Surgical Pathology Institute of the University of Verona. In 12 cases the restoration of the bowel continuity has been obtained by colon-anal anastomosis (Parks Operation) and in 3 cases by colo-rectal anastomosis at the anorectal ring level. The patients have been examined in the preoperative and in the postoperative period by clinical and manometric study. The results confirm that low resection does not involve faecal continence.