Ulcerative Colitis Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic idiopathic inflammatory disease that affects the mucosa of the colon. Even though the cause of the disease is unknown, certain risk factors…
Introduction The goal of preoperative assessment and preparation for a patient undergoing colon and rectal surgery is to minimize the risk of perioperative complications and optimize outcomes. Advancing age, obesity,…
Introduction Abdominoperineal resection (standard and extralevator) and pelvic exenteration are frequently performed operations. During follow-up, many patients demonstrate a perineal bulging with increases in abdominal pressure (especially during coughing, straining,…
Introduction An estimated 40,000 new cases of rectal cancer were diagnosed in the United States in 2015, encompassing almost one third of all newly diagnosed colorectal cancers. In 4% to…
Introduction Tumors of the sacrum and retrorectal space are rare. Two reviews of patients at the Cleveland Clinic found 50 patients between 1928 and 1985 ( Table 26-1 ) and…
Introduction The treatment of early rectal cancer has been a controversial subject for several decades. Radical proctectomy with total mesorectal excision (TME) is the gold standard for patients with tumors…
Introduction The aims of the preoperative evaluation of a patient with rectal cancer are to assess both the patient and the tumor and offer a tailored treatment plan that optimizes…
Introduction Two decades ago, surgery for rectal cancer was associated with local recurrence rates as high as 30% and poor long-term overall survival. However, during the past 10 years, survival…
Introduction In the era of total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery, preoperative radiotherapy (RT) reduces local recurrence (LR) and can be administered either as long-course RT (LCRT) with a 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)–based…
Introduction The rectum, which is the organ of defecation, is a unique part of the gastrointestinal tract. The anatomic and physiologic characteristics peculiar to this role allow specific and sometimes…
