What is a low anterior resection?

A low anterior resection refers specifically to a surgical procedure that involves the removal of a portion of the rectum along with any tumor present, while preserving the lower part of the rectum to allow for possible anastomosis (reconnection) of the remaining healthy bowel. This type of surgery is commonly performed in cases of rectal cancer, where it is essential to remove the cancerous tissue while minimizing the impact on bowel function.

In this procedure, the remaining sections of the rectum and sigmoid colon are stitched back together, which can help the patient retain normal bowel function to a greater extent than more radical procedures. This makes low anterior resection a critical operation for treating rectal malignancies while maintaining quality of life for the patient post-surgery. The focus on removing only the affected portion of the rectum illustrates the aim of the procedure—to achieve a balance between effective cancer treatment and preservation of bowel function.