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.