Low anterior resection using stapling instrument.

Twenty-one patients, eighteen with carcinoma of the rectum and three with diverticulosis of the colon, have been treated with anterior resection. The anastomoses were made with the stapling instrument, EEA, allowing very low anastomoses. All patients had temporary colostomy. Seventeen patients had a postoperative uneventful course. In three patients, major but tractable complications were seen. One patient died of pulmonary embolism. All survivors were completely continent for air and faeces, even with anastomoses only 4 cm above the anus. Two cases of recurrency have been noticed, one after two months and one after thirteen months. The result of making low anterior resection with the aid of the stapling machine EEA are so far promising.