title: Cancer of the rectum--sphincter-saving operation. Stapling techniques.
abstract: The techniques of restoring intestinal continuity after rectal resection for cancer have evolved throughout this century. For the most part, circular staplers have displaced the other pioneering and innovative techniques that our mentors and predecessors devised to improve the quality of life for our patients. With new technology, so also emerge new problems. Although the future likely will render many of our present techniques obsolete, for example, with refining of tissue adhesives, it is incumbent on us to recognize the limits of our present array of weapons and the limits placed on us by the biology of the tumor. About the latter, this means maintaining intellectual honesty in conducting a good cancer operation; about the former, we have to recognize that most of the pitfalls of stapling are preventable or correctable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio.
authors.forename: V W
authors.initials: VW
authors.lastname: Fazio
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013528:Surgical Staplers / Q000009:adverse effects