Management of the perineal wound following abdominoperineal resection: prospective study of three methods.

A prospective study was made of three procedures for treating the perineal wound and presacral cavity in 102 patients undergoing abdominoperineal excision for cancer of the rectum: (1) packing of the presacral space after suture of the pelvic peritoneum; (2) suture of the pelvic peritoneum and perineal wound, leaving two drains through the perineum; and (3) no suture of the pelvic peritoneum, and primary closure of the perineal wound, leaving drains through the abdomen for physiological saline irrigation. The parameters analysed were incidence of infection, primary healing of the perineum, extraperineal complications and mean hospital stay. Primary healing of the perineum was best with method 3, and overall incidence of infection highest with method 2. There were no differences between the methods with regard to extraperineal complications. Hospital stay was shortest with method 3.     

Improved management of the perineal wound after proctectomy.

In an effort to avoid the failures of perineal wound healing that are common after proctectomy, 57 patients who had abdominoperineal resection of the rectum or total proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis (35 patients), Crohn's colitis (12), or carcinoma (10) had primary closure of the levator muscles and perineal tissues. No attempt was made to approximate the pelvic peritoneum. The small bowel was allowed to fill the pelvic space, which was also drained by suction catheters brought out through the lower abdominal wall. The skin and subcutaneous tissues were allowed to heal by secondary intention in seven patients who had excessive preoperative perineal sepsis from fistulas, deep fissures, and abscesses. All seven wounds healed within 2 months. Of the other 50 patients, whose wounds were closed to the skin, 48 were discharged with completely healed perineal wounds. Two patients had sterile pelvic hematomas that drained through the perineum and delayed wound healing 1 month and 2 months. There were no postoperative perineal, pelvic, or intraabdominal abscesses. Immediate postoperative ambulation was allowed. There was no increased short-term or long-term incidence of small bowel obstruction related to this procedure, nor did perineal hernia occur after long-term observation (mean: 5.3 years). This method of accomplishing perineal wound healing is simpler, safer, more comfortable, and remarkably effective in eliminating the prolonged morbidity of an unhealed perineal wound. It is superior to any other reported method of managing the perineal wound in patients with inflammatory bowel disease and may be applicable to the treatment of cancer without compromising the chances for cure.     

腹腔镜直肠癌腹会阴联合切除术的三大难题及其解决方案

目的探讨腹腔镜直肠癌腹会阴联合切除术（APR）中的三大难题（腹部无切口的前提下完成腹膜外乙状结肠造口、缝合封闭盆底腹膜和预防术后会阴切口感染）及其解决方案。方法回顾性分析2010年9月至2013年5月间在北京协和医院基本外科接受择期腹腔镜APR手术60例低位直肠癌患者的临床资料。术中在完成淋巴结清扫及肿瘤切除后,以左下腹穿刺点为中心行腹腔镜下腹膜外乙状结肠造口术：并借鉴经肛门内镜微创手术（TEM）独特的腔内缝合技术,使用TEM持针钳,用可吸收线连续缝合关闭盆底腹膜;对成功关闭盆底腹膜的患者于术后第3天开始行骶前间隙持续灌洗预防会阴切口感染。结果计划实施腹腔镜APR的60例患者中,除1例（1．7％）中转开腹外,59例（98-3％）顺利完成腹部无切口的腹膜外乙状结肠造VI术,造口并发症发生率3．4％（2／59）。56例（94．9％）成功缝合关闭盆底腹膜,中位缝合耗时为15min,术后无一例出现会阴疝、腹内疝或粘连性肠梗阻。57例（包括中转开腹1例）成功关闭盆底腹膜后行骶前间隙持续灌洗者,骶前引流管留置的中位时间为7．8d;术后未并发粘连性肠梗阻：会阴切口甲、乙和丙级愈合率分别为87．7％（50／57）、8．8％（5／57）和3．5％（2／57）。盆底腹膜缝合失败、骶前间隙自然引流的3例患者术后1例发生粘连性肠梗阻,1例会阴切口丙级愈合。结论腹腔镜APR手术中腹膜外乙状结肠造口可行且安全;采用TEM腔内缝合技术关闭盆底腹膜便捷而有效;术后持续骶前灌洗对预防会阴切口感染的作用值得深入探讨。     

Factors influencing perineal wound healing after proctectomy

The hospital and office records of 86 patients who underwent proctectomy for cancer of inflammatory bowel disease with primary closure of the perineal wound were reviewed. Almost one fourth of all patients suffered a significant perineal wound complication, the majority of which were infections. The incidence of postoperative perineal wound complications was comparable in both groups of patients. Urinary retention occurred in 24 percent of patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection or rectal cancer, and half of these patients required transurethral resection which indicates the need for more thorough preoperative assessment of bladder function, especially in older men. The development of leg ischemia that resulted in amputation in two elderly patients who had preoperative evidence of obstructive peripheral vascular disease suggests that a synchronous two-team abdominoperineal resection with the patient in the modified lithotomy position for a prolonged period should be avoided. One third of all patients were discharged less than 10 days after surgery and two thirds within 2 weeks. Prolonged stays were more frequent in cancer patients and appeared to be related to age rather than to the development of postoperative complications. The perineal wound after abdominoperineal resection for cancer healed more rapidly and more completely than did the wound after proctectomy for inflammatory bowel disease. Fourteen percent of the inflammatory bowel disease patients did not have a healed wound 1 year after surgery. The extent of rectal cancer as determined by Duke's classification played no role in healing of the perineal wound, but women with rectal cancer healed at a slower rate than did men. The location of the exit site for wound catheters and the use of cautery and preoperative steroid therapy appeared too have no effect on the healing of the perineal wound.     

Two case reports of perineal hernia after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection with a proposed modification to the operative technique

Perineal hernia is a rare complication following laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer. We present two case reports of perineal hernia following laparoscopic APR and discuss their management. We suggest that they developed because the pelvic peritoneum was left open during laparoscopic APR and propose that closure of the pelvic peritoneum should be routine in this operation.     

Incidence and management of perineal hernia after laparoscopic proctectomy

Perineal hernia (PH) is formed by the protrusion of intra-abdominal viscera through a defect in the pelvic floor. This is a rare complication after conventional abdominoperineal resection, pelvic exanteration, proctectomy, and other pelvic procedures. The purpose of the present paper is to report 4 cases of PH after laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer and to review literature data about the incidence, predisposing factors, and treatment of this challenging problem. When added to other 3 cases previously reported in the Brazilian series of laparoscopic surgery, this group of 7 cases comprises a PH incidence of 3.5% after rectal resection procedures. Surgical treatment is indicated only in symptomatic patients with no signs of cancer recurrence. Proposed methods of surgical repair include abdominal, perineal, or combined approaches to the hernia in association with the use of autologous tissues or prosthetic meshes. Preventive measures are represented by closure of the pelvic peritoneum whenever possible, primary perineal suture and wound care to avoid infection.     

Immediate Reconstruction of the Perineal Wound With Gracilis Muscle Flaps Following Abdominoperineal Resection and Intraoperative Radiation Therapy for Recurrent Carcinoma of the Rectum

Background: Morbidity associated with a nonhealing perineal wound is the most common complication following proctectomy, particularly in the setting of recurrent carcinoma of the rectum and radiation therapy. Immediate reconstruction using the gracilis myocutaneous and muscle flaps significantly reduces the incidence of major infection associated with perineal wound closure. The purpose of this study was to assess the value of immediate reconstruction of the perineal wound using a gracilis flap in patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection and intraoperative radiation therapy.Methods: This study retrospectively reviewed our experience with immediate pelvic reconstruction using gracilis muscle flaps for patients undergoing rectal extirpation and irradiation for recurrent carcinoma of the rectum. From 1990 to 1995, 16 patients underwent abdominoperineal resection (APR) or pelvic exenteration accompanied by immediate wound closure with unilateral or bilateral gracilis muscle flaps. Morbidity and mortality outcomes were compared to those of 24 patients from our institution who, between 1988 and 1992, underwent proctectomy and irradiation for recurrent rectal carcinoma with primary closure of the perineal wound.Results: Major complications (i.e., major infection requiring hospitalization and/or operation) occurred in 2 (12%) of the patients with gracilis flaps versus 11 (46%) of the patients with primary closure (P = .028 by ² analysis for flap vs. primary closure). Minor complications (i.e., persistent sinus and subcutaneous abscess) occurred in 4 (25%) of the patients with gracilis flaps versus 5 (21%) of those with primary closure.Conclusion: Immediate perineal reconstruction using the gracilis myocutaneous flap following proctectomy and irradiation for recurrent rectal carcinoma significantly reduces the incidence of major infection associated with perineal wound closure.     

不同腹腔镜经腹会阴联合切除术治疗低位直肠癌的近中期随访比较

目的分析不同腹腔镜经腹会阴联合切除术治疗低位直肠癌的近中期效果。方法选取2016年1月至2018年5月期间80例低位直肠癌患者病例资料,根据术中盆底腹膜关闭与否,将采用未实施盆底腹膜关闭的腹腔镜经腹会阴联合切除术治疗的40例患者纳入未关闭组,采用腹腔镜经腹会阴联合切除术联合盆底腹膜关闭治疗的40例患者纳入关闭组。采用SPSS 23.0软件进行处理,手术相关指标、生活质量(GQOLI-74)评分以(x±s)表示,独立t检验;并发症发生率用百分比表示,用χ²检验。P<0.05为差异有统计学意义。结果所有患者均顺利完成手术,关闭组手术时间、术中出血量多于未关闭组,肠道功能恢复时间、引流管拔除时间短于未关闭组,并发症发生率低于未关闭组,GQOLI-74评分高于未关闭组(P<0.05)。结论腹腔镜经腹会阴联合切除术中盆腔腹膜关闭能够降低低位宜肠癌患者术后并发症风险,促进术后恢复,提高术后生活质量。     

Technique for packing the perineal wound after a wide perineal dissection for adenocarcinoma of the rectum.

A technique for packing the perineal wound after a wide perineal dissection performed as part of an abdominoperineal resection is described. An isolation bag is filled with rolled gauze and positioned in the pelvis beneath the sacral promontory. The packing and the bag are removed on the fifth postoperative day. This technique is safe and more tolerable to patients with an open perineal wound after an abdominoperineal resection.     

Disorders of wound healing of the sacral cavity after abdomino-perineal resection of the rectum]

In 95 patients it was necessary to perform abdominoperineal resection and colostomy due to malignant tumours of the rectum, the anus, as well as gynaecological tumours. After standardized preoperative preparation and comparable operative techniques in more than 93 per cent of the cases we performed suction drainage of the sacral cavity. In 86 per cent we observed primary perineal wound closure and the patients were spared lengthy secondary wound healing.     

Éventrations périnéales après exérèse rectale ou pelvienne. Prise en charge actuelle et prévention

Perineal hernias are a rare complication of major pelvic excisions. Their incidence (approximately 1% after abdominoperineal excision and 3% after pelvic exenteration) is probably underestimated, asymptomatic cases being unreported. Many repair procedures are presently used to solve this difficult problem. Abdominal (including laparoscopic) approach, perineal approach or both have been reported, with or without the implantation of prosthetic mesh or muscular flaps. Indications are based on the assessment of symptomatic burden, and the local and general conditions. Recurrence following repair is not rare, illustrating the difficulty to solve efficiently this condition. Prevention of perineal hernias is mandatory especially in patients at risk of impaired healing following extensive perineal excision. A primary closure of the perineal wound is recommended with addition of muscular flaps as soon as local or general risk of defective healing process is suspected.     

Obliteration of the pelvic space with pedicled omentum after excision of the rectum for cancer

From 1979 through 1982, removal of the rectum for cancer in 67 patients (50 of whom underwent preoperative radiotherapy) was completed by obliteration of the resulting dead space with pedicled omentum. No complication could be related to the method. After abdominoperineal resection (54 patients), primary healing of the perineal wound was achieved in 77 percent of the patients (85 percent during the last 2 years), and the mean postoperative hospital stay was 22 days. Minor perineal suppuration occurred in 10 patients with a 40 day average time of healing, and major suppuration occurred in 1 patient only with a 3 month time of healing. After the extended Hartmann operation (12 patients), no pelvic abscess was observed and the median hospitalization stay was 19 days. Pelvic filling in the management of patients undergoing rectal excision is an adjunctive procedure that is mainly intended to provide a better postoperative course. It might also facilitate postoperative radiotherapy.     

Results of salvage abdominoperineal resection for recurrent anal carcinoma following combined chemoradiation therapy

Combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy is the standard treatment for epidermoid carcinoma of the anal canal. Failures are often not associated with distant recurrence and are therefore potentially amenable to salvage abdominoperineal resection. The aim of this study was to review our experience with abdominoperineal resection following failure of chemoradiation therapy for epidermoid carcinoma of the anus. Between 1980 and 1998, 17 patients underwent salvage abdominoperineal resection following failure of chemoradiation therapy. Four patients were excluded from survival analysis because resection was performed with palliative intent. Survival curves were based on the method of Kaplan and Meier, and univariate analysis of predictive variables was performed using the log-rank test. Twelve patients underwent abdominoperineal resection for persistent disease and five patients for recurrent disease. No operative deaths occurred, but local complications including perineal wound infection and wound break-down was seen in 8 of 17 patients and 6 of 17 patients, respectively. Patients undergoing omental flap reconstruction (n = 3) or no pelvic reconstruction (n = 5) had a higher incidence of perineal breakdown compared to those undergoing muscle flap reconstruction (n = 9) (P <0.05). The median follow-up time for the patients operated on with curative intent was 53 months. The S-year actuarial survival was 47%. Potential prognostic factors that were not found to have an impact on survival included margin status of resection, sphincter invasion, and degree of differentiation. Only pathologic tumor size greater than 5.0 cm (P <0.00l) and age over 55 years (P <0.0.5) adversely affected survival. Selected patients with recurrent or persistent anal carcinoma following chemoradiation therapy can be offered salvage abdominoperineal resection. This operation is associated with a high incidence of local wound complications, and muscle flap reconstruction should be considered when possible. Prolonged survival can be achieved in some patients following salvage resection for epidermoid carcinoma of the anal canal.     

新辅助治疗对低位直肠癌患者经腹会阴联合直肠切除术后会阴切口愈合的影响

目的探讨新辅助治疗对于低位直肠癌经腹会阴联合直肠切除术（APR）后会阴切口愈合的影响。方法回顾性分析北京协和医院基本外科2005年1月至2009年1月实施APR术的93例直肠癌患者的临床资料．其中29例行术前新辅助治疗（新辅助治疗组）．64例直接手术（直接手术组）。将会阴伤口愈合情况分为甲、乙、丙级。对比观察两组患者会阴切口愈合情况。结果新辅助治疗组29例术前行局部放疗（50Gv,25次／5周）并同步联合化疗,采用FOLFOX4方案（氟尿嘧啶、奥沙利铂）;APR术后会阴伤口甲级愈合18例（62．1％）,乙级愈合6例（20．7％）,丙级愈合5例（17．2％）：直接手术组会阴伤口甲级愈合41例（64．1％）,乙级愈合15例（23．4％）,丙级愈合8例（12．5％）;两组间伤口感染（丙级愈合）发生率差异无统计学意义（P=0．773）。结论术前新辅助治疗尤其是50Gv的长程放疗不增加APR术后会阴伤口的感染发生率。     

Retrocolic pelvic omentoplasty in abdominoperineal excision of the rectum

A series of 53 patients underwent abdominoperineal excision of the rectum, 25 by the conventional method and 28 using retrocolic pelvic omentoplasty without drains. There were no differences in age, sex ratios, indications for surgery, stage of cancer and preoperative haemoglobin. There were no differences in the incidence of postoperative abdominal complications (wound dehiscence, obstruction and bleeding) between the two groups. However, patients undergoing omentoplasty without drainage stayed in hospital for a significantly shorter period (median of 16 days compared to 24 days) and benefited from far faster primary healing of the perineum (median of 20 days vs 133 days). It is concluded that retrocolic pelvic omentoplasty without drainage results in shortened postoperative hospital stay and promotes primary perineal healing after abdominoperineal excision of the rectum.     

Impact of Flap Reconstruction on Perineal Wound Complications Following Ablative Surgery for Advanced and Recurrent Rectal Cancers

Background

To determine the effect of flap reconstruction on perineal complications in locally advanced rectal cancers (LARC) and locally recurrent rectal cancers (LRRC). Prior studies have suggested that flap reconstruction may decrease wound complications after ablative surgery for rectal cancer but are limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneity of pathologies, and lack of comparison groups.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study (1999–2010) was performed on consecutive patients undergoing abdominoperineal resection (APR) or pelvic exenteration for locally advanced/locally recurrent rectal cancers. Differences in perineal complications between patients treated with and without perineal flap reconstruction were analyzed by using univariable, multivariable, and propensity score regression analyses.

Results

Flap reconstruction was performed in 52 of 177 patients (29 %). Patients receiving flap reconstruction had multiple risk factors for perineal morbidity, including longer operative times and more complex procedures. In our final multivariable analyses that were stratified by type of ablative procedure, we found a trend toward lower odds of perineal complications in patients receiving flaps (p = 0.065) compared with primary closure after pelvic exenteration. Although operative time and sacrectomy were significant determinants of perineal morbidity for pelvic exenteration patients, no significant predictors of perineal outcomes were identified for patients undergoing APR.

Conclusions

This study suggests that flap reconstruction may provide some protective effect against perineal complications in patients undergoing pelvic exenteration, although this was not observed for APR. The most important determinants of perineal complications after pelvic exenteration were operative time and sacral resection, but no predictive factors for post-APR perineal outcomes were identified.     

低位直肠癌行后盆腔脏器切除联合远端阴道及会阴体切除术后会阴重建的方式及体会

目的总结低位直肠癌累及远端阴道及会阴体时行后盆腔脏器切除及远端阴道及会阴体切除后会阴重建的各种方法的应用体会。方法总结我院2008年10月至2013年9月期间收治的10例直肠癌联合远端阴道及会阴体切除后的重建方式及围手术期的临床资料。结果10例患者中2例行子宫及阴道全切除,3例行子宫及阴道后壁切除,5例行单纯远端阴道和（或）会阴体切除。分别采用大网膜填塞（4例）、阴道前壁翻转缝合（3例）、子宫后倾（2例）、带蒂乙状结肠（2例）重建盆腔及阴道会阴缺损。1例患者盆腔严重感染,2例患者会阴部切口感染或裂开。结论女性低位直肠癌患者行后盆腔联合脏器切除后切口相关并发症率极高,可根据盆腔、会阴及阴道的缺损情况选用子宫或网膜填塞盆腔、带蒂肠段或肌皮瓣、生物补片等方法进行一期修复缺损,采用腹直肌或臀大肌肌皮瓣修复会阴巨大缺损成为目前主流的修复方式,但国内该技术报道极少,值得积极开展应刚。     

Treatment of the perineal wound after proctectomy by intermittent irrigation

Between 1977 and 1983, 43 patients underwent proctectomy (40 patients for carcinoma, three for ulcerative colitis). The subsequent perineal wound received primary closure and the pelvic space was treated with intermittent irrigation and suction drainage using a double-lumen catheter. Primary healing of the perineal wound occurred in 56.4% of cases and in 89.7% of cases the perineal wound had healed completely by the sixth postoperative week. The relationships between perineal wound healing and the age and sex of the patient, the stage of the tumor, and the tumor distance from the anal verge were assessed. The period of hospitalization was significantly reduced when the perineal wound underwent primary healing. The results obtained in terms of wound healing are comparable with the best published results using continuous irrigation. Our method is advantageous in that it does not necessitate immobilization of the patient.     

腹骶联合直肠癌切除术的临床应用

目的探讨腹骶联合切除术治疗低位进展期直肠癌的可行性和安全性。方法前瞻性人组2010年6月至2012年1月间兰州军区兰州总医院收治的可行局部根治性切除但又难以保留肛门的97例低位进展期直肠癌患者,按人院顺序交替分为腹会阴组（49例,行腹会阴联合切除术）和腹骶组（48例,行腹骶联合切除术）。比较两组患者的术中及术后情况。结果两组患者手术顺利,无围手术期死亡。与腹会阴组相比,腹骶组手术时间（包括第2次调整体位的时间）明显延长[（188±45）min比（143±48）min,P=0．000],非计划性前列腺或阴道损伤发生率降低[0比14．3％（7／49）,P=0．032],会阴部切口感染率降低[2．1％（1／48）比18．4％（9／49）,P=0．040]。结论腹骶联合切除术应用于中低位直肠癌患者安全、可行。     

Use of a balloon catheter in management of the pelvic space following laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision

Aim Management of the pelvic space following laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision remains controversial. We describe a simple technique for obliteration of the pelvic space after laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision. Method Pneumoperitoneum was re‐established after completion of the operative procedure and a Foley catheter Ch. 24 was inserted through the right lower port under direct vision. The balloon of the catheter, placed in the presacral space, was filled with 50 ml of sterile saline and connected to passive drainage. The catheter was removed 10 days postoperatively. Results This technique was used in 15 patients with the median age of 74 years (range 63–86). Eleven patients were treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The median length of hospital stay was 9 days (range 5–11). Two patients (13.3%) treated with chemoradiotherapy developed a superficial perineal wound infection and four patients (26.6%) had a deep pelvic abscess, which required surgical drainage. The median time of perineal wound healing was 3 months (range 2–8). The median follow‐up time was 36 months (range18–60). None of the patients developed perineal hernia or intestinal obstruction in the follow‐up period. One patient underwent small bowel resection due to stenosis caused by radiation enteritis. There was no local recurrence, but two patients developed distant metastases after 12 months. Conclusion Our results suggest that filling the pelvic cavity with a balloon catheter for 10 days results in the creation of a thin, fibrotic peritoneal layer which keeps the small intestine out of the pelvis and prevents loops of intestine adhering in the pelvic cavity.