An abdominoperineal operation is described that extends rectal resection for low tumours into the intersphincteric plane with removal of the internal sphincter. Bowel continuity is restored by coloanal anastomosis. Of 38 patients who underwent surgery since 1984, 34 had low rectal cancer and four carcinoid or large villous adenoma. There was no mortality. Four patients developed local recurrence during a median observation period of 3 years. Continence was satisfactory in all patients. The median daily number of bowel movements during the first months after colostomy closure was 9 but decreased to 3 after 1 year and 1 after 2 years. Anal manometry demonstrated a significant reduction of mean resting pressure from 91.8 to 35.1 cmH2O with no recovery after 2 years (P < 0.0001). Squeeze pressure showed only a transient decrease.

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Permeability to [3H]mannitol increased 16-fold after exposure to 32 nM of toxin A and to 3 nM of toxin B when compared with controls (P < 0.05). Light and scanning electron microscopy after exposure to either toxin revealed patchy damage and exfoliation of superficial epithelial cells, while crypt epithelium remained intact. Fluorescent microscopy of phalloidin-stained sections showed that both toxins caused disruption and condensation of cellular F-actin. Our results demonstrate that the human colon is -10 times more sensitive to the damaging effects of toxin B than toxin A, suggesting that toxin B may be more important than toxin A in the pathogenesis of C. difficUe colitis in man. (J.

Intersphincteric resection is a valuable procedure for sphincter-saving rectal surgery. We showed that this technique has satisfactory long-term results in functional and oncologic respects. An important prerequisite is a careful preoperative evaluation of local tumor spread with rectal magnetic resonance imaging excluding infiltration of the external sphincter.

Patients suffering from severe constipation are a new challenge for sacral nerve stimulation but further research on pelvic floor function is needed.