AbdominoPerineal Resection of Rectum

Abdominoperineal Resection (APR) is a surgical procedure that involves the removal of the anus, rectum, and part of the sigmoid colon. This surgery is typically performed to treat rectal cancer located near the anal canal, or in cases of certain inflammatory conditions of the rectum. Since this procedure removes both the rectum and the anus, it results in the need for a permanent colostomy, which is the diversion of the colon through an opening in the abdomen for waste elimination.

APR is an invasive surgery and is usually reserved for cases where other treatment options, such as radiation or chemotherapy, are not effective or where the cancer is too advanced to be treated by more conservative means. The primary goal of this surgery is to remove cancerous tissue and prevent the spread of the disease to other parts of the body.

Rectal Cancer: Particularly in the lower rectum and anus, where the tumor is not amenable to sphincter-sparing surgery.

Severe Trauma or Injury: In cases where the rectum and anus are severely damaged and cannot function properly.

Chronic Inflammatory Diseases: Severe cases of conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease that may require a resection.

The primary reason for performing an APR surgery is the presence of rectal cancer, which may originate in the lower rectum or anal canal. However, the surgery can also be indicated in cases of:

Cancer that develops in the lining of the rectum or anus and is typically associated with risk factors such as advanced age, family history of colon cancer, or a history of inflammatory bowel disease.

Severe trauma or injury to the rectum, often due to accidents, may lead to the need for surgical intervention to remove the damaged tissue.