[Lower anterior (mesenteric) resection of the rectum]

The immediate and late results of 283 operations for anterior resection of the rectum in carcinoma are analysed. Low anterior resection of the rectum with division of the lateral ligaments and middle rectal arteries was performed in 28 (9.9 +/- 1.8%) of these patients. Due to the high incidence of anastomosis incompetence, the formation of colostomy in low anterior resections is obligatory. The discussed operation is justified oncologically and does not yield in radical character to rectal extirpation and abdomino-anal resection of the rectum with the pull-through procedure.