title: Evaluation of 18 cases of conservative proctectomy with low transsection of the anorectum for benign diseases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present our experience of conservative proctectomy in the treatment of patients with benign diseases of the rectum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  18 patients with benign diseases of the rectum for whom a pouch was unsuitable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Conservative proctectomy with transsection of the anorectum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mortality and morbidity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 10 patients the wounds healed primarily. The remaining 8 developed presacral abscesses, which drained either spontaneously or after a drainage operation. At the end of the 19 month follow up period four still had presacral cavities with fistulas to the anal canal, and one patient had died of a cause unrelated to the operation. No patient complained of sexual dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  If proctectomy is indicated for a benign disease a limited excision with transsection of the anorectum at the pectinate line is safe if the closed anal canal is examined carefully and residual mucosa removed. It should not be used for patients with severe inflammatory or fibrous changes in the perirectal tissue.
authors: Department of Surgery C, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
authors: H J
authors: HJ
authors: Gyrtrup
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Wettergren
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Damgaard
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Kirkegaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016737:Proctocolectomy, Restorative / Q000379:methods*; D012002:Rectal Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome