The Anglo-Swiss Colo-Proctology Meeting, held at Lausanne in May 1983, enabled numerous specialists to share their experiences of lower gastrointestinal tract pathology. The focus was on ischae mic disease and tumours of the colon, rectum and anus. By featuring ischaemic disease in our programme we hoped to give this too often underestimated process a fair hearing. Ischaemic lesions are far more common than is recognised on clinical grounds alone, particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Large intestine is chaemia is often confused with other syndromes, especially since the clinical features evoked are, in most cases, atypical. Thus diag nosis is frequently late, with dramatic consequences. The oncology section basically discusses the early diagnosis of gastrointestinal tumours, a prerequisite for improving survival in af fected patients, and also presentation and treatment of certain rare tumours. The third section of this volume covers various diverse subjects including surgical technique, functional disorders of the large intes tine, inflammatory bowel disease, haemorrhoids and investigatory procedures. Several of the articles come from international authorities in their field. Some communications contain unpublished results, and others may lead to new diagnostic and therapeutic methods. We feel that the quality and variety of the texts from the Anglo-Swiss Colo Proctology Meeting merit wide appreciation. We are grateful to Springer-Verlag for accepting these proceed ings for publication.

I: Vascular Disorders of the Intestine

Ischaemic Damage to the Distal Bowel Following Angioplastic Surgery for Infrarenal Aortic Aneurysm or Aorto-Ilio-Femoral Obstruction (Leriche's Syndrome)
The Colonic Microcirculation
Why is Mortality still so high in Ischaemic Bowel Disease?
Vasopressin and Blood Flow in the Canine Colon
Mesenteric Vessel Obstruction and Oral Contraceptives
Successful Treatment of Acute Mesenteric Ischaemia
Elective Colonic Resection for Ischaemic Strictures
II: Tumours of Colon, Rectum and Anus
Peutz-Jeghers Syndrome. The Experience of Sixteen Patients
Leiomyomata and Leiomyosarcomata of the Rectum and Anal Canal
Desmoid Disease Associated with Adenomatous Polyposis. One Hospital's Experience of Twenty-three Patients
Monoclonal Antibodies against Carcinoembryonic Antigen for the Detection of Human Colon Carcinoma by Immunoscintigraphy
Asymptomatic Faecal Occult Blood Screening: A Practical Solution to the Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer?
The Value of Cytology in the Diagnosis of Colonic Cancer
The Value of CEA as a Determinant of Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer
Causes of Delay in the Early Diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer
The Ultrasonic Imaging of the Rectum
Surgical Treatment and Prognosis in Colorectal Cancer. Report on 1357 Cases
Multidisciplinary Approach of Anal Canal Epidermoid Carcinoma
Liquid Nitrogen in Palliative Treatment of Low Rectal and Anal Carcinoma
New Prospects in the Management of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal
III: Miscellaneous
Abnormalities of Anorectal Function in Patients with Chronic Constipation who are Unable to Defaecate
Defaecography
The Electromyography of the External Sphincter Muscle in Supercontinent and Incontinent Patients
Park'sPer-Anal Repair of Recto-Prostatic Fistula
Restorative Proctocolectomy with Ileal Reservoir
Healing of the Perineal Wound after Intersphincteric Dissection of the Rectum for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Prevention of Anastomotic Leakage in Colorectal Surgery: Results of a Prospective Randomised Double-Blind Trial of Aprotinin (Trasylol) in Colonic Surgery
The Parasacral Approach for Rectal Prolapse
A Prospective Randomised Trial to Compare Mezlocillin and Metronidazole with Cefuroxime and Metronidazole as Prophylaxis in Elective Colorectal Operations
Ten-Year Experience with a Modified Whitehead Haemorrhoidectomy
Why Do Patients with Haemorrhoids Benefit from Lord's Procedure?
A Simple Combined Clinical and Laboratory Index of Crohn's Disease
Iatrogenic Lesions of the Rectum.