Sphincter Sparing Rectal Surgery

Cancers of the lower rectum often result in a permanent stoma (opening in the body). However, advanced surgical techniques have been developed which can avoid this. These techniques include:

• Local excision - the removal of the rectal tumor through the anus. It allows removal of the tumor with no incisions on the abdomen and usually an overnight hospital stay with a quick recovery.
• Coloanal J pouch - an operation that removes advanced rectal cancers located close to the anal sphincter muscles. The procedure consists of removing the entire rectum but preserving the anal canal and sphincter muscles. A pouch is then formed from the colon; this pouch increases the storage capacity. The pouch is sewn inside the anal canal, which preserves continence.
• Neoadjuvant therapy - treatment to shrink very large or advanced tumors which can not be removed initially without a colostomy. Therapy consists of radiation and a mild chemotherapy given on an outpatient basis for approximately 3 months before surgery. After the neoadjuvant therapy has completed, surgeons wait an additional 6 weeks to allow for maximal shrinkage of the cancer. Neoadjuvant therapy greatly increases the surgical team's options.

Sphincter Sparing Rectal Surgeries are performed by the Department of Surgical Oncology. More information about these procedures is available at their website.