title: Intraluminal measurement of distance in the colorectal region employing rigid and flexible endoscopes.
abstract: Intraluminal measurements of distance cephalad to the anal verge in the colorectal region of 40 consecutive adult patients were performed employing rigid and flexible proctosigmoidoscopic techniques. In 2/40 (5%) patients, the measurements were identical. In 32/40 (80%) patients, measurements employing a flexible proctosigmoidoscope exceeded measurements employing a rigid instrument by at least 3 cm. The observations have relevance in the context of assessments of adequate distal margins and preservation of anal continence in patients requiring colorectal surgery via transabdominal, transsacral, transperineal, and/or transanal routes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Lee County Hospital, Opelika, Alabama.
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Dunaway
authors.forename: W R
authors.initials: WR
authors.lastname: Webb
authors.forename: C B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Rodning
mesh_terms: D003106:Colon / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D012809:Colon, Sigmoid / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D003113:Colonoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D012812:Sigmoidoscopy / Q000379:methods*