Rectal cancer: anterior resection with per anal colo-anal anastomosis. The results in 76 patients treated by Sir Alan Parks.

Rectal anterior resection with colo-anal anastomosis permits the restoration of intestinal continuity even after complete removal of the rectum. It is a relatively new operation, having been first described in 1972. Consequently a long term follow-up of greater than 5 years is available in a relatively small number of patients. In our series a 3 years survival rate of 70 per cent is available in 37/76 patients. The evidence so far, however, strongly suggests that survival rates are very similar to those reported by others for patients treated either by total rectal excision or by conventional anterior resection. The rate of pelvic recurrences (10%) is again very similar to the overall rate of local recurrence reported from the St. Mark's Hospital. The functional outcome has been excellent or acceptable in all but one of the 70 patients assessed. Thus this is every indication that cancer cure is as likely following this operation as any other for rectal cancer.