Nine Cases of Inguinal Colotomy for Malignant Disease of the Rectum: Recovery

COLOTOMY must Inot be considered in any way as a rival operation to that of excision in cases of rectal cancer. In a large number of instances excision is quite impracticable, and it is in such cases that the question of colotomy arises. The advantages of the operation lie partly in the relief it affords to symptoms, partly as a means of retarding the growth of the cancer. The pain caused by the growth itself varies greatly, and is more influenced by the position than by any other factor. When the growth is near the anal margin the pain is often intense, whereas, whlen higher up the bowel, there is comparative immunity. Sooner or later the