Squamous cell carcinoma of the colon and rectum are extremely rare neoplasms. Many questions regarding their histogenesis and biological behaviour remain unanswered. Surgery is the most effective therapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy should be considered, especially for node-positive patients. We present a patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the middle rectum who underwent abdominoperineal resection and postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy. The pertinent literature is reviewed.

Anastomotic stricture is a severe complication of colorectal anastomoses. Although dilatation is the treatment of choice for low-grade stenoses, surgery may be required for patients with high-grade stenoses or when dilatations fail. Surgical repair of colorectal anastomoses is a challenge for the surgeon. The transanal circular stapler technique is a simple and effective method for the repair of stenoses of low colorectal anastomoses, which avoids extensive tissue dissection and achieves excellent long-term results. We present 2 patients successfully treated by this technique [in one, the combined (transanal plus transabdominal) approach was used] and the relevant literature is briefly reviewed.