MESORECTUM IN RECTAL-CANCER SURGERY

47 patients with a carcinoma of the middle and lower third of the rect um, all in tumor stage pT2 and pT3, underwent a low anterior resection with total excision of the mesorectum and preservation of continence. In histological examinations, 27.3% of tumors in stage pT3 N2-N3 show ed a descending lymphatic spread in the distal mesorectum. In radical tumor surgery,the size of the distal safety margin in the bowel docs n ot seem to be as decisive as total mesorectum excision. In the case of a rectum carcinoma at stage pT3, a multidirectional lymphatic tumor s pread can be expected. In rectum surgery appropriate for this tumor st age, such carcinomas require a total mesorectum excision.