[Results of postoperative citrate irrigation following deep rectum resection].

Colonic and rectal anastomoses are more subject to leakage than anastomoses in other parts of the gastro-intestinal tract. Especially the difficult deep sphincter preserving resection of the rectum becomes risky in case of absent serosa and high collagenase concentration. The temporary protective colostomy will reduce the morbidity and lethality of suture leakage significantly. An additional irrigation with citrate-solution of the minor pelvis to avoid haematoma and to reduce germ concentration was not successful. On the contrary wound healing disturbances increased. Therefore it is not used any longer.