COLORECTAL CAVERNOUS HEMANGIOMA TREATED B Y TOTAL COLOPROTECTOMY AND ILEOANAL ANASTOMOSIS

A diffuse cavernous hemangioma of the colon and rectum was made in a 2 0-year-old man. Treatment consisted of total colectomy with ileorectos tomy. A proctectomy was mandatory four years later because of massive rectal bleeding. A sphincter-saving operation was possible and bowel c ontinuity was restored with an ileal ''J'' pouch-anal anastomosis. Cav ernous hemangioma generally affects the rectosigmoid and colo-anal sle eve anastomosis is the treatment of choice. When cavernous hemangioma affects the colon and rectum or when the colon has been removed for an other reason, an ileo-anal anastomosis, although technically difficul t, can be performed in order to prevent recurrent bleeding while prese rving continence and allowing acceptable bowel function.