ABSTRACT
An anterior resection is usually carried out for a neoplastic growth of the sigmoid colon or rectum, or for recurrent diverticulitis, involving an anastomosis of the colon with the rectum. In the case of malignancy, it removes the primary tumor, the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) and its accompanying lymph nodes, and joins bowel either end which has a good blood supply with no tension. Many surgeons have moved from ‘pure’ or straight laparoscopic colorectal surgery to routine use of the hybrid hand-assisted laparoscopic surgery (HALS). This is due to the advantages of shorter operating time, increased spatial awareness and tactile feedback, direct surgical access to the region under the handport, a reduced conversion rate, and an expanded ability to deal with the transverse colon and more advanced pathology, without loss in measured pain levels or recovery time.
