Dr. Ron Greenbergspecialist in general and colorectal surgery
The rectum is located near important structures of the pelvis (blood vessels, nerves, reproductive organs), so its resection must be performed with special care. The removal of the rectum or part of it is mainly performed in the treatment of bowel cancer. There are several techniques for performing this operation. Israeli colorectal surgeons have extensive experience in performing rectal resections and strive to preserve the patient's sphincter muscle, innervation in the perineal area, and the function of gas and stool retention whenever possible.
Methods of Intervention at Top Ihilov
Unlike other sections of the intestine, the rectum does not have redundant functions, meaning that even with partial resection, its primary function of accumulating, retaining, and expelling formed stool can only be partially compensated. Therefore, the main task of Israeli specialists when performing such operations is to preserve healthy tissues as much as possible, remove affected areas (tumour and adjacent tissues), and, if possible, completely preserve the sphincter. When it comes to treating bowel cancer, another important task is the removal of nearby lymph nodes as a potential threat of metastasis.
Depending on the location of the tumour, a specific surgical technique is chosen. If the neoplasm is located relatively far from the anus, an anterior resection or abdominal-anal resection of the rectum (so-called sphincter-saving operations) is performed. If the neoplasm is located close to the anus and has spread to the sphincter, an abdominal-perineal extirpation is performed, removing the rectum and sphincter. In the latter case, the surgeon forms a permanent colostomy – an artificial opening for stool expulsion.
Sphincter-Saving Operations
Israeli colorectal surgeons prefer sphincter-saving operations that ensure a high quality of life for the patient. Some of these operations can be performed laparoscopically – without large incisions. Additionally, our clinic widely uses robot-assisted surgery for treating bowel cancer, and some rectal resections are performed using the da Vinci surgical robot. This ensures no blood loss, alleviation of pain syndrome, and acceleration of the rehabilitation period.
- Transanal resection – a minimally invasive intervention where only part of the rectal wall is removed. This operation is used to treat small tumours located in the lower part of the rectum.
- Anterior resection of the rectum – removal of the rectum or part of it while preserving the sphincter. This operation is performed if the neoplasm is located more than 12 cm from the anus (i.e., sufficiently distant from the sphincter). Anterior resection is characterized by good preservation of stool retention function and preservation of innervation of the pelvic area, which is critically important for the urogenital system.
- Low anterior resection of the rectum – the operation is performed similarly to the previous one, except that it is used when the tumour is located closer than 12 cm but further than 6 cm from the anus. To compensate for the impaired stool retention function during the intervention, a reservoir is formed and anastomosis is applied.
- Abdominal-anal resection of the rectum – this type of intervention is used if the tumour is located 4-6 cm from the anus. It is usually also sphincter-saving, although in some cases it may involve partial removal of the anus.
The operation lasts about 3 hours, and hospitalization ranges from 2 days to a week. Surgical treatment is accompanied by the intraperitoneal administration of chemotherapy drugs in any case.
Rectal Resection in Israel – Prices
The cost of rectal resection in Israel varies in each specific case, as different patients require different volumes of intervention. Therefore, the final cost of treatment can only be provided after complete diagnostics.
Israeli clinics successfully combine high-quality medical services with affordable prices. In most cases, performing rectal resection in clinics in the USA, Canada, France, or Switzerland costs at least 30-40% more. Rectal resection in Israel has only positive and grateful reviews from patients.
Advantages of Performing Resection at Top Ihilov Clinic
- Our medical center employs experienced specialists, each with many years of experience in performing intestinal surgeries.
- For rectal resection at Top Ihilov center, a full range of sphincter-saving techniques is applied. This allows for the maximum preservation of rectal functions, including stool retention function.
- The use of the da Vinci surgical robot during rectal resection significantly increases the precision of the operation, ensuring even greater preservation of physiologically important structures – nerves and pelvic organs, blood vessels.
- Before the operation, the patient undergoes complete diagnostics using modern examination methods.
- Comfortable and calm conditions for preoperative preparation and the rehabilitation period are important for successful treatment. At Top Ihilov, the international department is responsible for these aspects.
Excellent testimonials allow us to see how effectively and safely rectal resection is performed in Israel – reviews from patients of Top Ihilov clinic. The center receives numerous letters expressing gratitude from people to Israeli surgeons and oncologists. This gives our doctors new strength in the fight against oncology.