[Low anterior resection of the rectum with the linear and circular stapler in the treatment of carcinoma of the middle third of the rectum].

Low anterior resection by linear (TA 55) and circular (EEA) stapler was done in eighteen patients with adenocarcinoma of the middle third of the rectum. One patient died of lung embolism after having underwent the surgery. The stercoral fistula was clinically and radiologically proven in only one of the surgically treated patients and it healed without medicament therapy. The protective proximal colostomy was not performed. Late functional results were satisfactory and none of the patients developed stenosis of the anastomosis. Two operated patients (Dukes' C) relapsed 12 and 18 months after the surgery.