CARCINOMA commonly occurs in the lower part of the sigmoid colon (rectosigmoid colon) and rectum; and, fortunately, it often produces early symptoms. Almost two thirds of cancers of the colon occur in this region. The abdominoperineal resection, as described by Miles, results in a five-year survival rate of more than 50% in most series. Even though this is true, anterior resection with anastomosis and preservation of the anal sphincter has become the operation of choice in selected cases for many surgeons in more recent years—primarily because normal bowel function through the anus can be preserved by this means. The first anterior resection for a malignant tumor is believed to have been performed by Reybard15in 1843. The operative procedure was duly noted by other surgeons of the time and, with the advent of general anesthesia, became a rather frequent surgical procedure. Mortality and morbidity, however, were prohibitive, and in