Analysis of recurrence following curative low anterior resection and stapled anastomoses for carcinoma of the middle third and lower rectum

In a series of 93 patients with middle and lower rectal cancer, who underwent potentially curative surgery by low anterior resection (LAR) with EEA stapled anastomosis or by abdominoperineal excision (APE) between January 1977 and December 1981, the incidence of recurrence and survival rate was compared. LAR with stapler was performed in 61 patients: 55 (90.2 percent) with tumors of the middle third and six (9.8 percent) for tumors of the lower third of the rectum. APE was performed in 32 patients: 13 (40.6 percent) with cancer of the midrectum and 19 (59.4 percent) of the lower rectum. Tumor site, Dukes' distribution, grade of malignancy, and extent of local spread were recorded. The tumor stages for LAR with stapler and for APE, respectively, were Dukes' A 7/1; Dukes' B 27/10; Dukes' C 25/18; Dukers' D 2/3. In a follow-up period of four years (range, 6 to 52 months) the overall recurrence rates were 20.4 percent in the LAR with stapled anastomosis group and 21 percent in the APE group. Local recurrence percentages were 9.8 percent after LAR and 14 percent after APE (P=N.S.). Distant recurrences were 12 percent and 14 percent, respectively. The four-year overall survival rates were 76.7 percent after factors correlated with recurrence in low rectal carcinoma were reanalyzed and the controversial points of the surgical management for and against LAR with stapled anastomosis and APE were discussed. It is concluded that LAR with the EEA stapler can be carried out in the middle and lower rectum with the prospect of ultiate cure when performed with proper technical skills in selected patients. Read in part at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Houston. Texas, May 11 to 15, 1986.     

Colorectal anastomosis using a novel double-stapling technique for lower rectal carcinoma

Background The conventional double-stapling technique (DST) using a standard linear stapler horizontally is sometimes difficult to apply to an anastomosis where the pelvis is narrow or the anastomosis is ultralow. In this report, we review our experiences of a novel DST (IO-DST) that employs vertical division of the rectum using an endostapler. Materials and methods One-hundred and five consecutive patients who underwent low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma below the peritoneal reflection were enrolled into this study. The clinical, oncological, and functional outcomes were studied retrospectively. Results The median distance from the anal verge to the tumor was 5.0 cm in “high risk” T1 tumors and 6.5 cm in more-advanced tumors. More than 2 cm of distal surgical margin was obtained in 80.6% of the patients with tumors deeper than T1. The median distance from the anal verge to the anastomosis was 4.2 cm in T1 tumors and 4.0 cm in more-advanced tumors. The median blood loss was 315 ml, and the median operative time was 262 min. There was no mortality in the IO-DST. Recurrence presented in 12 (13.0%) of the patients who underwent curative surgery, with local recurrence in four patients (4.3%) during a median follow-up of 46.2 months. However, no patients experienced suture-line recurrence. The early bowel frequency was four times/day after stoma closure in patients with transient covering colostomy and 3.5 times/day in patients without colostomy. The late bowel frequency was three times/day in patients with transient covering colostomy, and two times/day in patients without colostomy. Conclusions The IO-DST is a feasible and safe procedure for facilitating lower anastomosis in rectal carcinoma below the peritoneal reflection.     

Local tumor recurrence after curative resection for rectal cancer

Local tumor recurrence rates after curative rectal cancer surgery with the end-to-end anastomosis stapler (EEA^®) are reportedly high. Therefore, a retrospective review in ten Yale-affiliated hospitals was undertaken to establish the outcome of surgical resection for rectal cancer in this patient population. Of those 373 patients who had had curative resections, 192 (52 percent) were abdominoperineal resections (APR); 105 patients (28 percent) had restorative resections with sutured anastomoses, and the EEA stapler was used in 76 patients (20 percent). There was an equal distribution of tumors in the various Dukes' stages in all three procedures. Local tumor recurrence was: APR 19 percent, SUT 17 percent, and EEA 24 percent, but local tumor recurrence was more frequent after EEA than APR for tumors 7 to 10 cm from the anal verge (32 vs. 13 percent, respectively,P<0.05), and the time to recurrence was least in EEA patients. It is concluded that local tumor recurrence is higher than expected for all three procedures and that the EEA stapler was associated with a greater risk of local tumor recurrence. These findings are attributed to surgeon-related technical operative factors rather than to the nature of the tumors themselves.     

低位直肠癌患者使用直肠拖出切除吻合术的临床优势

目的探讨低位直肠癌患者使用直肠拖出切除吻合术的临床优势,为该手术的临床应用提供理论支持。 方法对重庆市人民医院36例低位直肠癌患者随机分为实验组及对照组,每组各18例,实验组行直肠拖出切除吻合术,对照组行经腹直肠前切除吻合术。评估两组患者的的临床指标、肛门功能以及其预后情况。 结果对两组的临床基本资料进行比较,其中手术时间（t=15.728,P=0.000）、住院天数（t=4.391,P=0.044）、术中出血量（t=5.231,P=0.029）差异具有统计学意义（均P<0.05）;对两组患者术后不同时段的肛门功能进行比较,其中6个月时各等级（t=10.000,P=0.040）差异具有统计学意义;对两组患者的预后情况进行比较,其中两组患者在复发例数上（χ²=4.500,P=0.034）差异具有显著统计学意义。 结论低位直肠癌患者使用直肠拖出切除吻合术能有效的减少患者的手术时间,提高患者的生活质量,不失为一种安全、可行的手术方法。     

Role of stapled and hand-sewn anastomoses in recurrence of Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Anastomotic recurrence after bowel resection is a major problem in Crohn's disease surgery. The aim of this study is to compare recurrence rate after stapled side-to-side ileo-colonic anastomosis to those after stapled end-to-side or hand-sewn side-to-side anastomosis to distinguish the role of suture technique and anastomotic configuration in the prevention of Crohn's disease recurrence. METHODOLOGY: Eighty-four consecutive patients who had undergone ileo-colonic resection for Crohn's disease were enrolled: 12 of them had stapled side-to-side anastomosis, 36 stapled end-to-side anastomosis and 36 hand-sewn side-to-side anastomosis. We evaluated duration of operation, first bowel movement after operation, postoperative hospital staying, postoperative surgical complications, clinical recurrence and reoperation rate. The statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test and Fisher exact test. Cumulative recurrence rates were compared using F Cox test and Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference between the three groups was observed in early postoperative follow up. The stapled side-to-side anastomosis group obtained a better symptom-free survival than the stapled end-to-side group (p=0.04). In the stapled and hand-sewn side-to-side groups reoperation rates were significantly lower than in the stapled end-to-side group (p=0.01 and p=0.05 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: All the three types of anastomosis were demonstrated to be equally safe in early postoperative outcome. A longer follow-up showed a significantly lower incidence of reoperation recurrence in the stapled and hand-sewn side-to-side anastomosis compared to the stapled end-to-side anastomosis group. This result may suggest the configuration of the anastomosis as the key point in the recurrence of anastomotic Crohn's disease.     

Pelvic resection of recurrent rectal cancer

PURPOSE: Pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer is an ominous event for the patient and a formidable challenge to the managing surgeon. We reviewed the results of abdominosacral resection to manage these patients and correlated outcome (survival and recurrence) with known prognostic factors. METHODS: An abdominosacral resection was performed on 61 patients with pelvic recurrence (53 with curative intent and 6 for palliation; 2 had extended pelvic resection). Of the 53 patients (32 males; average age, 59 years) previous resection included abdominoperineal resection in 27 patients, abdominoperineal resection plus hepatic lobectomy in 2 patients, low anterior resection in 19 patients, plus trisegmentectomy in 1 patient, and advanced primary cancers in 4 patients. Initial primary stage was Dukes B (64 percent) and Dukes C (36 percent). All had been irradiated (3,000–6,500 in 50 patients, 8,300 and 11,000 in 2 patients, and unknown dose in 3 patients). Preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen was elevated (>5 ng/ml) in 54 percent. Extent of resection: high sacral resection S-1–S-2 was done in 32 patients, midsacrum in 14 patients, and low S-4–S-5 in 6 patients. Twenty-eight patients (60 percent) required partial or complete bladder resection with or without adjacent viscera, and all had internal iliac and obturator node dissection. RESULTS: There were four postoperative (within 60 days) deaths, 8 percent in curative groups (5.4 percent overall). Major complications included prolonged intubation (20 percent), sepsis (34 percent), posterior wound infection or flap separation (38 percent). The survival rate in the curative group (49 postoperative survivors) was 31 percent at five years, with 13 patients surviving beyond five years. Seven of these patients survived from 5 to 21 years, whereas six patients recurred again and died within 5.5 to 7.5 years after abdominosacral resection. Disease-free survival rate at five years was 23 percent. Recent reconstruction with large composite myocutaneous gluteal flaps in 5 patients permitted complete sacral wound coverage, resulting in earlier ambulation and reduced hospital stay. CONCLUSIONS: Abdominosacral resection permits removal of pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer that is fixed to the sacrum and is associated with long-term survival in 31 percent of patients. Recent technical advances have improved the short-term outcome and have made the procedure more feasible for surgical teams familiar with these techniques.Presented at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Antonio, Texas, May 2 to 7, 1998.     

Failed stapled rectal resection in a constipated patient with rectal aganglionosis

A rare case of a severely constipated patient with rectal aganglionosis is herein reported.The patient,who had no megacolon/megarectum,underwent a STARR,i.e.,stapled transanal rectal resection,for obstructed defecation,but her symptoms were not relieved.She started suffering from severe chronic proctalgia possibly due to peri-retained staples fibrosis.Intestinal transit times were normal and no megarectum/megacolon was found at barium enema.A diverting sigmoidostomy was then carried out,which was complicated by an early parastomal hernia,which affected stoma emptying.She also had a severe diverting proctitis,causing rectal bleeding,and still complained of both proctalgia and tenesmus.A deep rectal biopsy under anesthesia showed no ganglia in the rectum,whereas ganglia were present and normal in the sigmoid at the stoma site.As she refused a Duhamel procedure,an intersphincteric rectal resection and a refashioning of the stoma was scheduled.This case report shows that a complete assessment of the potential causes of constipation should be carried out prior to any surgical procedure.     

Local recurrence after curative resection in patients with colon and rectal cancers

Background and aims  There are a range of rates and a number of prognostic factors associated with the local recurrence of colorectal cancer after curative resection. The aim of this study was to identify the potential prognostic factors of local recurrence in patients with colon and rectal cancers. Materials and methods  A retrospective review of 1,838 patients who underwent curative resection of non-metastatic colorectal cancer was conducted. The patients were treated between 1994 and 2004, and had a minimum follow-up of 3 years. Results  There were 994 patients with colon cancer and 844 patients with rectal cancer. The median duration of follow-up was 60.9 ± 24.5 months. With respect to colon cancer, the local recurrence rate was 6.1% (61 patients). With respect to rectal cancer, 95 patients had a local recurrence (11.3%), the rate of which was statistically greater than the local recurrence rate for colon cancer (p < 0.001). The overall recurrence rate was 16.4% (301 patients), and the local recurrence rate, with or without systemic metastases, was 8.5% (156 patients). Local recurrences occurred within 2 and 3 years in 59.9% and 82.4% of the patients, respectively. In patients with colon and rectal cancer, the pathologic T stage (p = 0.044 and p = 0.034, respectively), pathologic N stage (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively), and lymphovascular invasion (p = 0.013 and p = 0.004, respectively) were adverse risk factors for local recurrence. The level of the anastomosis from the anal verge was an additional prognostic factor (p = 0.007) in patients with rectal cancer. Conclusion  Compulsive follow-up care of patients with colon and rectal cancers is needed for 3 years after curative resection, especially in patients who have adverse risk factors for local recurrence.     

Prevention of intraoperative complications during stapled excision of rectal mucosal prolapse

Submucosal saline injection and triple purse-string are reported to prevent peritoneal stitching and mucosal pocketing, two intraoperative complications in patients who undergo a stapled transanal excision for internal mucosal prolapse causing obstructed defaecation. Received: 15 November 1998 / Accepted: 20 February 1999     

Preoperative irradiation affects functional results after surgery for rectal cancer

PURPOSE: The Swedish Rectal Cancer Trial has unequivocally demonstrated that preoperative high-dose (5 × 5 Gy) radiotherapy reduces local failure rates and improves overall survival. This will have an impact on the primary treatment of rectal cancer. This study investigates the effect of preoperative high-dose radiotherapy on long-term bowel function in patients treated with anterior resection. METHODS: A questionnaire was answered by 92 percent (203/220) of patients who were included in the Swedish Rectal Cancer Trial and who were alive after a minimum of five years. Thirty-two patients were excluded, mainly because of postoperative stomas and dementia, which left 171 for analysis. RESULTS: Median bowel frequency per week was 20 in the irradiated group (n=84) and 10 in the surgery-alone group (n=87;P<0.001). Incontinence for loose stools (P<0.001), urgency (P<0.001), and emptying difficulties (P<0.05) were all more common after irradiation. Sensory functions such as discrimination between gas and stool and ability to safely release flatus did not, however, differ between groups. Thirty percent of the irradiated group stated that they had an impaired social life because of bowel dysfunction, compared with 10 percent of the surgery-alone group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The study indicates that high-dose radiotherapy influences long-term bowel function, thus emphasizing the need for finding predictive factors for local recurrence to exclude patients with a very high probability for cure with surgery alone and to use optimized radiation techniques.Supported by the Swedish Cancer Society (Grant 1921-B97-15XCC).Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 22 to 26, 1997.     

Anastomotic recurrence after sphincter-saving resection for rectal cancer

A retrospective study of anastomotic recurrence after sphincter-saving resection for rectal cancer is presented. During the 21 years from 1962 to 1982, 273 patients with rectal cancer underwent sphincter-saving resection and 30 (11 percent) of them had anastomotic recurrences. Computer analysis of 69 variables was undertaken to identify factors contributing to the anastomotic recurrence, with special reference to the length of distal clearance of the bowel. There was no significant correlation between the incidence of recurrence and the length of distal clearance of the bowel, if the latter was over 2 cm. There appears to be justification for carrying out a curative sphincter-saving operation for cases in which more than a 2-cm distal margin can be afforded. However, for cancers of the infiltrating type, annular growths, invasion to adjacent organs or mucinous features, a more extensive distal clearance of the bowel is necessary, and the Miles operation should be performed.     

Operating proctoscopes designed for use in rectal anastomosis by stapling techniques

New operating proctoscopes have been designed that facilitate the passage of a stapling head without its anvil in rectal procedures which call for this technique to be used.     

Comparative outcome of stapled trans-anal rectal resection and macrogol in the treatment of defecation disorders

AIM:To prospectively assess the eff icacy and safety of stapled trans-anal rectal resection(STARR) compared to standard conservative treatment,and whether preoperative symptoms and findings at defecography and anorectal manometry can predict the outcome of STARR.METHODS:Thirty patients(Female,28;age:51 ± 9 years) with rectocele or rectal intussusception,a defecation disorder,and functional constipation were submitted for STARR.Thirty comparable patients(Female,30;age 53 ± 13 years),who presented with sympto...     

Surgery for local pelvic recurrence after resection of rectal cancer

This retrospective study evaluated outcome with regard to procedure, local control, and survival after curative surgical resection with and without preoperative radiotherapy for local pelvic recurrence. A total of 58 consecutive patients with local pelvic recurrence of rectal cancer after previous curative resection for primary tumors were reviewed. Of these, 36 underwent both initial resection and follow-up in our department; the remaining 22 had initial surgery and follow-up elsewhere. Of the 58 patients 27 underwent curative re-resection, 9 had palliative resection, and 22 were treated by conservative therapy. Among the 27 patients with curative resection 17 received preoperative radiotherapy (40 Gy) plus surgery and 10 surgery only. No patients were lost to follow-up; median follow-up time was 36.3 months. The overall rate of curative resection was 46.6%: 55.6% in our own follow-up group and 31.8% in the others. With regard to surgical procedure, abdominoperineal resection (APR) with or without sacral resection was standard following previous low anterior resection, and total pelvic exenteration (TPE) with or without sacral resection was common following APR. There was a high incidence of morbidity (71.4%) after TPE. Re-recurrence was observed in 12 (44.4%) after curative re-resection. There was local re-recurrence in 6 (22.2%). The local re-recurrence rate was 11.8% (n = 2) with radiotherapy plus surgery, and 40.0% (n = 4) with surgery alone. The estimated 5-year survival following curative re-resection was 45.6% (61.2% with radiotherapy plus surgery, 29.6% with surgery alone). Both survival and local control with radiotherapy plus surgery tended to be better than with surgery alone. Thus, in selected patients pelvic local recurrence of rectal cancer can be re-resected curably by APR or TPE (with or without sacral resection) combined with preoperative radiotherapy. Accepted: 10 October 1997     

Risk factors for local recurrence of middle and lower rectal carcinoma after curative resection

AIM： To explore the risk factors for local recurrence of middle and lower rectal carcinoma after curative resection. METHODS： Specimens of middle and lower rectal carcinoma from 56 patients who received curative resection at the Department of General Surgery of Guangdong Provincial People＇s Hospital were studied. A large slice technique was used to detect mesorectal metastasis and evaluate circumferential resection margin status. The relations between clinicopathologic characteristics, mesorectal metastasis and circumferential resection margin status were identified in patients with local recurrence of middle and lower rectal carcinoma. RESULTS： Local recurrence of middle and lower rectal carcinoma after curative resection occurred in 7 of the 56 patients （12.5%）, and was significantly associated with family history （Х^2= 3.929, P = 0.047）, high CEA level （Х^2 = 4.964, P = 0.026）, cancerous perforation （Х^2 = 8.503, P = 0.004）, tumor differentiation （Х^2 = 9.315, P = 0.009） and vessel cancerous emboli （Х^2 = 11.879, P = 0.001）. In contrast, no significant correlation was found between local recurrence of rectal carcinoma and other variables such as age （Х^2 = 0.506, P = 0.477）, gender （Х^2 = 0.102, Z2 = 0.749）, tumor diameter （Х^2 = 0.421, P = 0.516）,tumor infiltration （Х^2 = 5.052, P = 0.168）, depth of tumor invasion （Х^2 = 4.588, P = 0.101）, lymph node metastases （Х^2 = 3.688, P = 0.055） and TNM staging system （Х^2 = 3.765, P = 0.152）. The local recurrence rate of middle and lower rectal carcinoma was 33.3% （4/12） in patients with positive circumferential resection margin and 6.8% （3/44） in those with negative circumferential resection margin. There was a significant difference between the two groups （Х^2 = 6.061, P = 0.014）. Local recurrence of rectal carcinoma occurred in 6 of 36 patients （16.7%） with mesorectal metastasis, and in 1 of 20 patients （5.0%） without mesorectal metastasis. However, there was no significant     

Comparison between the biofragmentable anastomosis ring and stapled anastomoses in the extraperitoneal rectum: a prospective, randomized study

Serious complications can be carried by intestinal anastomoses, particularly in the distal and proximal part of the gastrointestinal tract. The biofragmentable anastomosis ring (BAR) has been shown to be a safe anastomotic technique, but its clinical applicability in the extraperitoneal rectum has not yet been completely established. This study compared BAR anastomoses and stapled anastomoses in the middle rectum. Thirty-six consecutive patients initially suitable for elective colorectal anastomosis in the middle rectum were enrolled into this study. All patients had intraperitoneal rectum carcinoma, and 31 underwent a colorectal anastomosis in the middle extraperitoneal rectum. They were randomly allocated to a stapled technique or BAR anastomosis. Intraoperative findings and technical drawbacks, tumor behavior, and postoperative course were recorded. All patients were followed up, and late stenosis rate was investigated by endoscopy. The procedure was carried out in each of the 15 patients randomized to receiving a BAR anastomosis. No major difficulties were encountered, and the time needed was even less than that required for a stapled anastomosis. One patient in the stapled group had an early bleeding that required a further laparotomy. No significant differences in postoperative complications were noted between the two groups, although one patient with stapled anastomosis experienced a clinical leakage that needed loop colostomy. Biofragmentability was regular; buttons were eliminated in 3weeks without any bowel disturbance. BAR ring insertion in the deep pelvis did not produce a shorter colonic resection. The late stenosis rate was similar between the groups. This study shows that in extraperitoneal middle rectum BAR anastomosis is as feasible and safe as the stapled method. The latter is more expensive, and manual suture is more difficult. Therefore the BAR is now the method of choice for this anastomosis in the authors’ unit. Accepted: 14 October 1999     

Indications for colonic J-pouch reconstruction after anterior resection for rectal cancer

PURPOSE: Functional outcome after anterior resection for rectal cancer is improved by colonic J-pouch reconstruction compared with straight anastomosis. The indications for colonic J-pouch reconstruction have yet to be determined. Therefore, we attempted to determine the level at which J-pouch reconstruction provides an advantage over straight anastomosis. METHODS: A total of 48 patients who underwent 5-cm colonic J-pouch reconstruction (J-pouch group) and 80 patients who underwent straight anastomosis (straight group) underwent functional assessment one year postoperatively. RESULTS: The functional outcome in the J-pouch group was significantly better than that in the straight group when the distance of the anastomosis from the anal verge was less than 8 cm. The difference was particularly obvious when the level of the anastomosis was below 4 cm. However, functional outcome in the straight group when the anastomosis was between 9 and 12 cm from the anal verge was also satisfactory and did not differ from that in the J-pouch group when the anastomosis was between 5 and 8 cm from the anal verge. CONCLUSIONS: Colonic J-pouch reconstruction is indicated when the distance of anastomosis from the anal verge is less than 8 cm, and it is essential when the distance is less than 4 cm.Supported in part by a Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, and Science and a Grant-in-Aid for Cancer Research from the Japanese Ministry of Health and Welfare.     

Evaluation of selective defunctioning stoma after low anterior resection for rectal cancer

Background Anastomotic leakage is a major concern after resection for low rectal cancer. Therefore, the use of a defunctioning stoma (DS) has been suggested, but limited data exist to clearly determine the necessity of a routine diversion. In our department, the indication of DS was evaluated subjectively by the operating surgeon. The aim of this study was to evaluate the selective use of fecal diversion. Materials and methods Retrospective chart review of patients who underwent low anterior resection for carcinoma was performed. The incidence and consequences of clinical leaks were determined in these patients who were considered in two groups: defunctioning stoma and no defunctioning stoma. Results From 1995 to 2005, 132 consecutive patients underwent low anterior resection; a DS was performed in 42 patients (31.8%). Median level of anastomosis was 4 cm in both groups. Overall clinical leakage rate was 9.8%: 7.1% (n = 3) with a DS and 11% (n = 10) without a stoma. Mortality rate was 1.5% (n = 2), both in the unprotected group. No patient in the diversion group required a permanent stoma, contrasting with four unprotected patients in which continuity could not be restored after break down of the anastomosis. Conclusion Finding lower clinical leakage rate in a probable higher risk group and better outcome when a leak occurs in our study constituted strong evidence of the effectiveness of a DS. Selective use of a DS based on subjective assessment at the time of surgery could not allow experienced surgeons to perform single-stage procedure safely. Construction of a DS seems useful for patients with distal rectal cancer.     

低位直肠癌切除术后影响功能因素分析及对策

直肠癌是常见的消化道恶性肿瘤,在我国多数是位于腹膜返折以下的低位直肠癌。近年来,随着直肠癌理论研究的深入和手术技术的提高,低位直肠癌保肛手术率在逐年上升。目前临床上常用的保肛术式有低位前切除术（LAR）、经括约肌间切除术（ISR）等,但保肛术后出现的各种肛门功能问题一直困扰着患者和医生。笔者通过回顾文献并结合自身经验就低位直肠癌保肛术后影响肛门功能的因素及处理对策进行探讨。     

Peranal coloanal anastomosis following low anterior resection for rectal carcinoma

Since 1978, 41 patients (12 percent of all restorative operations) have undergone peranal coloanal reconstruction following anterior resection (LAR) for cancers of the midrectum. Twenty-seven patients (66 percent) were men and 14 patients (34 percent) were women (mean, 58.8 years). The mean distance of the primary tumor from the anal verge was 6.7 cm and 50 percent of the primary tumors were considered highly mobile. In 29 patients, a hand-sewn anastomosis was performed between the colon and the dentate line. In the 12 most recent patients, the anastomosis was performed using a circular stapling instrument. A diverting colostomy should be employed in all cases and is closed approximately three months later. There has been no operative mortality. Morbidity included anastomotic separation (two patients), minor anastomotic defects (three patients), pelvic sepsis (two patients), and bacteremia of unknown origin (two patients). Where fecal diversion was employed, there were no instances of anastomotic leak. Two patients with hemorrhage were returned to the operating room. Thirty-seven of the 41 patients underwent curative resections. Thirty-three percent of the patients had Dukes' C lesions. With a median follow-up of 31 months for the curative resections, 73 percent remain free of disease. Sixty-four percent of evaluable patients have either excellent or good anorectal function nine to 12 months after colostomy closure. Of 26 operations performed by one surgeon, 22 patients (85 percent) are currently evaluable. Nineteen (86 percent) of the 22 have normal or near-normal bowel function. Four guidelines for performing a functionally successful operation are presented. Coloanal reconstruction following LAR, were pull-through operations were previously required, is an excellent sphincter-preserving operation. The functional results one year after the operation are gratifying, with the majority of patients leading an active life with normal bowel function. Supported in part by Grant # CA31545-02 and by The Ron Larak Memorial Cancer Research Fund. Read at the meeting of The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Diego, California, May 5 to 10, 1985.