One of the technical considerations in resecting rectal cancers is the ability to get adequate distal margins. Current thinking holds that a 2.0 cm intramural margin is now acceptable, which is less than the previously recommended 5.0 cm margin.
In addition to the intramural margin, considerable attention is now also being given to obtaining an adequate mesorectal margin, which is now thought to be 5.0 cm to decrease local pelvic recurrence.
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