ABSTRACT
A low colorectal or coloanal anastomosis, also known as a sphincter-sparing procedure, involves the resection of the rectum with anastomosis deep in the pelvis to a rectal cuff or to the anus itself. This is a departure from the traditional teaching of performing abdominoperineal resection for carcinoma involving the middle and lower third of the rectum. In this article we review the anatomic considerations, indications, and techniques of performing these complex pelvic procedures.
KEYWORD
Anastomosis - colorectal - coloanal
