MECHANICAL TRANS-SUTURAL COLORECTAL ANASTOMOSIS IN THE TREATMENT OF RECTAL CANCERS BASED ON A SERIES OF 70 CASES

The reduction in the acceptable length of distal margin below the tumor makes low anterior resection more suitable for rectal cancers. The technical difficulties of low anastomosis are reduced by performing stapled colorectal anastomosis through the suture. Seventy patients were submitted to this procedure. There was no operative mortality, while the reported morbidity was 14 %. Sixteen patients underwent preoperative radiotherapy of 30 Gy without any subsequent leakage. This technique is discussed in relation to the hand-sewn colo-anal anastomosis.