Low Anterior Resection
A low anterior resection is a surgical procedure used to treat certain rectal cancers that develop in the upper portion of the rectum near the colon. It is also sometimes performed to treat diverticulitis. This procedure involves the removal of the area of the rectum containing the tumor, then reattachment of the remaining portion of the rectum to the colon to allow for normal bowel movements. This resectioning avoids the necessity for a permanent colostomy. Commonly, a temporary ileostomy is performed where the lower part of the small intestine, the ileum, is brought out through a hole in the abdominal wall to enable waste excretion. The ileostomy is performed to allow healing time for the surgical site and its immediate surroundings and is usually reversed in about 8 weeks.
A low anterior resection typically requires a hospital stay of several days to one week, and a recovery period of 3 to 6 weeks. Preparation for a low anterior resection is similar to the preparation for a colonoscopy. The patient takes laxatives and enemas to ensure that the intestines are clean for the surgical procedure. Surgery takes place under general anesthesia. During the procedure, the surgeon makes an abdominal incision and removes the tumor, as well as a margin of normal tissue. Lymph nodes are also excised for pathology testing.