Methods of sphincter preservation were developed about a century ago. Combination of these techniques with adequate anterior resection /¡ermits successful utilisation of the sphincter preserving procedures. Although Miles' abdominoperineal resection (APR) still remains a golden standard for the low rectal carcinomas, restorative resection may now be ¡mssible with equivalent oncologic control of the disease and snr'ival rates. For this reason, current trends also suggest the sphincter-saving procedures to be of choice whereas APR is being less frequently being utilised.
In this article anorectal anatomy and the .sphincter-saving procedures utilised in modern surgery is reviewed. ¡Journal of Turgut Özal Medical Center I(4):334-34I,I994/
Key Words: Sphincter-saving, rectum, carcinoma
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