Abstract
The complications of synchronous combined excision of the rectum for adenocarcinoma in 227 patients were analysed. Urinary retention with infection occurred in 78 patients (34-4 per cent) and was the commonest complication. There was a significant correlation between tumours involving the anterior quadrants of the rectum and urinary complications. Primary suture of the perineal wound with closed drainage was associated with a higher incidence of complications than open drainage. The cumulative risk of a paracolostomy hernia in the sixth postoperative year was approximately 33 per cent. Extraperitoneal colostomy gave some protection against paracolostomy herniation.