New Method for Treating Rectal Cancer Developed

The proctology department of Kim Man Yu Hospital is successfully treating rectal cancer with transanal rectal resection.

The first patient treated by applying this method was a 48-year-old man, who had been admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of rectal cancer in March last year.

Kim Kyun, head of the department, Pang Chol Ryong and Han Kwang Myong, after confirming the surgical applicability, ligated and resected the inferior mesenteric artery and isolated the rectum containing the tumour. Then they incised the area corresponding to the muscular bulb in the anal side in the shape of a ring, before separating it between the internal and external anal sphincters and connecting it with the separated ventral side. Meanwhile, they pulled the isogenous colon out, cut the bowel part containing tumour outside the anal hilum, and then temporarily fixed the anal skin. A week later, the anal cavity was reshaped.

According to Kim, the patient left the hospital 15 days after the surgery without developing any complications.

This year alone, the department has treated more than ten patients with rectal cancer by applying the transanal rectal resection method.