Abdomino-perineal resection: How I do it
Tuesday, 1 December 2026, 9:30 am
Geerard Beets
Geerard Beets presents abdominoperineal resection as an oncologically focused procedure in which meticulous pelvic dissection and appropriate specimen geometry are central to achieving clear circumferential margins. His approach reflects the evidence that low rectal cancers undergoing APR have particular risks of CRM involvement and local recurrence, with tumour location and stage influencing these risks. The technique aims to achieve an adequate cylindrical specimen while respecting surrounding pelvic structures and addressing the substantial risk of perineal wound morbidity associated with APR.
About Geerard Beets
Geerard Beets is Professor of Surgery at Maastricht University Medical Center and a leading figure in academic colorectal surgery in Europe. His work has contributed to the use of MRI for rectal-cancer staging and circumferential resection-margin assessment, as well as to organ-preserving strategies and improving oncological and quality-of-life outcomes. He is President of the European Society of Surgical Oncology (ESSO) and has published extensively on the multidisciplinary management and surgical treatment of rectal cancer.
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