title: Sphincter preservation for low rectal carcinoma--the Durban experience.
abstract: With the increasing interest in sphincter preservation in the treatment of low rectal carcinoma, we retrospectively reviewed the present surgical options--sphincter preservation with colo-anal anastomosis, and the radical abdominoperineal resection (APR). Seventeen patients had sphincter preservation with colo-anal anastomosis and 12 an APR; 53% of the sphincter preservation group survived, compared with 25% of those patients who had APR. We conclude that in selected cases sphincter preservation would not compromise the chance of cure and would save the patient from a permanent colostomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, R. K. Khan Hospital, Durban.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.forename: L D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Coen
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Barker
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000517:prevention & control; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome