Towards fewer colostomies--the impact of circular stapling devices on the surgery of rectal cancer in a district hospital.

Circular stapling devices can be used to extend the range of anterior resection of the rectum to encompass most of anterior resection of the rectum to encompass most rectal carcinomas. In one district general hospital the number of abdominoperineal resections performed in a 12-month period has been reduced from 27 to 4. A personal series is presented of 40 patients in whom the new technique allowed restorative resection to replace permanent colostomy. Special care is essential in the preparation of the colon for the low anastomosis.