A lower anterior resection, formally known as anterior resection of the rectum and colon and anterior excision of the rectum or simply anterior resection (less precise), is a common surgery for

rectal cancer Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer, colon cancer, or rectal cancer, is the development of cancer from the colon or rectum (parts of the large intestine). Signs and symptoms may include blood in the stool, a change in bowel ...

and occasionally is performed to remove a diseased or ruptured portion of the intestine in cases of diverticulitis. It is commonly

abbreviated An abbreviation (from Latin ''brevis'', meaning ''short'') is a shortened form of a word or phrase, by any method. It may consist of a group of letters or words taken from the full version of the word or phrase; for example, the word ''abbrevia ...

as LAR. LARs are for cancer in the

proximal Standard anatomical terms of location are used to unambiguously describe the anatomy of animals, including humans. The terms, typically derived from Latin or Greek roots, describe something in its standard anatomical position. This position pro ...

(upper) two-thirds of the rectum which lends itself well to resection while leaving the rectal sphincter intact.

Relation to abdominoperineal resection

LARs, generally, give a better

quality of life Quality of life (QOL) is defined by the World Health Organization as "an individual's perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards ...

than abdominoperineal resections (APRs). Thus, LARs are generally the preferred treatment for rectal cancer insofar as this is surgically feasible. APRs lead to a permanent colostomy and do not spare the sphincters.

Low anterior resection syndrome

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) comprises a collection of symptoms mainly affecting patients after surgery for rectal cancer characterized by fecal incontinence (stool and gases), fecal urgency, frequent bowel movements and bowel fragmentation, while some patients only experience constipation and a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying. The cause is unclear, and has been thought to be due to nerve damage, or possibly due to loss of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex. Many of the symptoms of LAR syndrome improve over a period of many months. The nerves that control the natural contractions of the colon and rectum run along the colon and can be damaged or cut during the surgery. After such damage, the nerves can regrow, but only slowly.

References

External links

LAR syndrome - patient education
{{Digestive system procedures General surgery Digestive system surgery