Rectal bowel cancer without colostomy | than nature headquarters | bag
Rectal cancer without an unnatural site (colostomy), we can avoid an unnatural site (pouch) even when the tumor is close to the sphincter up to 1cm. The method of Ultra low anterior resection and intersphincteric resection (low anterior resection and transsphincteric resection of Straight) allows us to avoid the permanent than nature headquarters (bag) for tumors up to 1-2 cm from clamp.
Rectal Bowel Cancer
The following articles are indicative although they concern only a few of the many studies that demonstrate the possibility of avoiding a permanent unnatural seat (pouch) for tumors near the sphincter. At the same time, these studies as well as the American rectal cancer guidelines (NCCN) show that we can achieve equal or better survival than with a permanent colostomy in patients for whom the method is indicated.
Publication of the New Technique
Rectal Surgery
The important characteristics of the rectum are the following:
1) The rectum is isolated from the rest of the abdominal organs by the peritoneum
2) The space surrounding the rectum is quite narrow
3) Important vessels, nerves and ureters run to the right and left of the rectum
4) The rectum must be removed together with the surrounding mesorectum because it contains all the lymph nodes with possible metastases
5) At the end of the rectum is the area of the anus that includes the sphincter
6) Once the sphincter is removed, a permanent unnatural seat is created for faeces to be expelled.
There are specialized surgeons who can operate on tumors near the sphincter and the patient maintains his normal function (avoid permanent unnatural seat). This operation is called "very low anterior excision and transsphincteric excision", and it can be performed even on tumors 1-2 cm from the sphincter.
So the current international trend is to reduce the number of sphincter removal operations, which are now only done when it is also affected by the tumor or if there is a serious incontinence problem.