Late complications following operations for cancer of the rectum and anus

Late morbidity after abdominoperineal and low anterior resections for rectal cancer was analyzed during a 10-year period, where these operations were used for cure, the latter being performed whenever it was possible to resect the rectum 5 cm below the tumor. The incidences of abdominal-wall fistulas, ventral hernias, mechanical ileus and sexual impotence were not less after abdominoperineal resection than after low anterior resection. The former carried other late complications, such as hernia about the colostomy, atresic colostomy, eczema around the colostomy, perineal hernia, and fistula and abscess, while the only other complication after low anterior resection was persisting fistula after anastomotic leakage. The results support the statement that low anterior resection for cure of rectal cancer should be used whenever possible.