Transsphincteric approach to lesions of the rectum.

Transsphincteric posterior resection of villous adenomas and small carcinomas restored gastrointestinal continuity and preserved continence in 25 of 26 patients in this study. No patient had local recurrence. This procedure is suitable for villous tumors that are too high for transanal or too low for transabdominal resection, and for small mobile malignancies of the lower 5 cm of the rectum.