Outcomes of immediate vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap reconstruction for irradiated abdominoperineal resection defects

BACKGROUND: Perineal wound complications after chemoradiotherapy and abdominoperineal resection (APR) for anorectal cancer occur in up to 60% of patients, including perineal abscess and wound dehiscence. Vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flaps have been used in an attempt to reduce these complications by obliterating the noncollapsible dead space with vascularized tissue and closing the perineal skin defect with nonirradiated flap skin. Many surgeons are reluctant to use VRAM flaps unless primary closure is not possible. STUDY DESIGN: All patients who underwent chemoradiotherapy and APR during a 12-year period at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center were retrospectively reviewed. Patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics and surgical complications and outcomes were compared between patients who underwent VRAM flap reconstruction of wounds that could have been closed primarily (flap group, n = 35) and those who had primary closure of the perineal wound (control group, n = 76). RESULTS: Overall, there were no significant differences in the incidence of perineal wound complications between the groups; the flap group had a significantly lower incidence of perineal abscess (9% versus 37%, p = 0.002), major perineal wound dehiscence (9% versus 30%, p = 0.014), and drainage procedures required for perineal/pelvic fluid collections (3% versus 25%, p = 0.003) than the control group had. Despite flap harvest and the need for donor site closure in the flap group, there was no significant difference in abdominal wall complications between groups during the study's mean patient followup of 3.8 years. CONCLUSIONS: VRAM flap reconstruction of irradiated APR defects reduces major perineal wound complications without increasing early abdominal wall complications. Strong consideration should be given to immediate VRAM flap reconstruction after chemoradiation and APR.     

Extended abdominoperineal resection with gluteus maximus flap reconstruction of the pelvic floor for rectal cancer

BACKGROUND: Intraoperative tumour perforation, positive tumour margins, wound complications and local recurrence are frequent difficulties with conventional abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer. An alternative technique is the extended posterior perineal approach with gluteus maximus flap reconstruction of the pelvic floor. The aim of this study was to report the technique and early experience of extended APR in a select cohort of patients. METHODS: The principles of operation are that the mesorectum is not dissected off the levator muscles, the perineal dissection is done in the prone position and the levator muscles are resected en bloc with the anus and lower rectum. The perineal defect is reconstructed with a gluteus maximus flap. Between 2001 and 2005, 28 patients with low rectal cancer were treated accordingly at the Karolinska Hospital. RESULTS: Two patients had ypT0 tumours, 20 ypT3 and six ypT4 tumours. Bowel perforation occurred in one, the circumferential resection margin (CRM) was positive in two, and four patients had local perineal wound complications. Two patients developed local recurrence after a median follow-up of 16 months. CONCLUSION: The extended posterior perineal approach with gluteus maximus flap reconstruction in APR has a low risk of bowel perforation, CRM involvement and local perineal wound complications. The rate of local recurrence may be lower than with conventional APR.     

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。     

Effect of local gentamicin–collagen on perineal wound complications and cancer recurrence after abdominoperineal resection: a multicentre randomized controlled trial

Aim Perineal wound sepsis is a common problem after abdominoperineal resection of the rectum (APR), with a reported incidence of 10–15% in previously non‐irradiated patients, 20–30% in patients given preoperative radiation and 50% among patients submitted to preoperative radiation combined with chemotherapy. The local application of gentamicin–collagen was evaluated to determine whether its use in the perineal wound reduced risk complications and had an effect on cancer recurrence. Method In this prospective multicentre (seven hospitals) randomized controlled trial, 102 patients undergoing APR due to cancer or benign disease were randomized into two groups including surgery with gentamicin–collagen (GS+, n = 52) or surgery without gentamicin–collagen (GS?, n = 50). Patients were followed at 7, 30 and 90 days and at 1 and 5 years. Results There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups regarding perineal wound complications, infectious or non‐infectious, or cancer recurrence. Conclusion There was no statistically significant effect on perineal wound complications or cancer recurrence following the local administration of gentamicin–collagen during APR.     

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.     

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。     

Efficacy and tolerance of a new gentamicin collagen fleece (Septocoll®) after surgical treatment of a pilonidal sinus

Objective Pilonidal sinus is common. It causes substantial loss of working hours. The major disadvantage of open wound treatment is the long time required for healing. Primary wound closure is on the other hand often followed by infection. A controlled, multicentre trial was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of a new gentamicin collagen fleece (Septocoll^®) combined with primary closure. Patients and methods One hundred and three patients (88 men, 15 women, median age 30 years) were included. Fifty‐one were randomised to gentamicin fleece plus primary closure (Genta Group), and 52 patients to open treatment alone (Open Group). Results The median interval to wound healing was 17 days in the Genta group and 68 days in the Open group (P = 0.0001, log‐rank test). Two patients in Group 1 developed infection within the first two weeks, requiring reopening of the wound, with primary wound healing occurring in 73%. Failure of primary healing (27%) was usually due to seroma or spontaneous dehiscence which subsequently healed. Conclusion The combination of gentamicin collagen fleece (Septocoll^®) with primary closure resulted in a shorter period to healing than the open technique without unwanted effects.     

Mechanical and antibiotic preparation and infections in colorectal surgery. Comparison of 2 methods of orthograde lavage]

The efficacy of two methods of orthograde lavage preparation in elective colorectal surgery was tested in 133 consecutive patients: the results obtained with whole gut irrigation (50 patients, group A) were compared with the results of oral lavage solution (83 patients, group B). All patients received a parenteral association of antibodies (clindamycin in combination with a broad spectrum antibiotic, mainly II or III generation cephalosporins). Bacterial cultures were carried out at the end of the lavage in the rectal effluent (no statistically significant differences between the two groups) and in the intraoperative aspirate from the colon (the bacterial concentration was higher in group B). The total number of infections was 12 (9%), with 6 (12%) in group A and 6 (7.2%) in group B. The infectious complications involved perineal wound in 9 cases (in 2 patients in combination with abdominal wound infection), abdominal drainage in 2 and abdominal wound in 1. The type of broad spectrum antibiotic did not affect the infection rate significantly. Perioperative and infection site bacteriological cultures grew the same type of organism only in one case. The surgeons' judgement of the adequacy of the cleansing favored whole gut irrigation, although the results of the study revealed that both methods were safe and provided equally adequate bowel cleansing.     

Miles术后会阴开放切口处理方法的改进

目的介绍Miles术后会阴开放切口处理的改进方法,总结其疗效。方法29例直肠癌Miles术后会阴切口渗液直接开放引流,骶前渗液13例经尾骨前烟卷引流(A组),16例经右髂部乳胶管引流(B组)。结果两组病人术后均无任何与骶前或会阴切口感染相关的并发症发生。B组术后会阴切口不需内置引流条换药,A、B两组会阴切口愈合时间分别为(73.2±6.5)d和(71.4±3.3)d,组间比较无统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论对Miles术后会阴开放切口渗液予直接开放引流、骶前渗液经右髂部乳胶管引流,可减轻病人的痛苦,且极大地节省了外科医师的工作量。     

经腹会阴联合直肠切除术后会阴切口处理的随机对照研究

目的 对比研究经腹会阴联合直肠切除术(Miles术)后骶前腔隙的自然引流或持续灌洗对会阴切口愈合的影响.方法 对2004年10月至2009年8月实施Miles术的74例患者进行前瞻性研究,术后3 d将患者随机分为骶前持续灌洗组和骶前自然引流组,观察比较两组患者会阴部切口感染、积液、延迟愈合等情况.将会阴切口愈合情况分为甲级、乙级和丙级愈合三种.结果 共74例患者纳入本研究.随机入组持续灌洗组37例(含术前放疗12例),入组自然引流组37例(含术前放疗10例).持续灌洗组会阴切口出现丙级愈合2例,乙级愈合3例,甲级愈合32例;自然引流组则分别为8例,3例,26例;两组间丙级愈合率差异有统计学意义(5.4%比21.6%,P=0.042).本研究中行术前放疗者22例,3例会阴切口丙级愈合,4例乙级愈合,15例甲级愈合;直接手术患者52例,7例会阴切口丙级愈合,2例乙级愈合,43例甲级愈合,两组间乙级愈合率差异有统计学意义(18.2%比3.9%,P=0.039).结论 持续骶前灌洗明显改善经腹会阴联合直肠切除术后会阴切口的愈合情况,术前50 Gy的长程放疗可明显提高会阴切口乙级愈合的比例.     

Salvage Abdominoperineal Resection and Perineal Wound Healing in Local Recurrent or Persistent Anal Cancer

The primary treatment for anal cancer is chemoradiation (CRT). Failures after CRT are potentially curable with an abdominoperineal resection (APR). A major problem of surgery in the anal area is poor healing of the perineal wound. Between 1985 and 2000, 129 patients treated for anal cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Of the 24 patients with local failure, 18 patients were treated with an APR. The aim of this study was to review the results and long-term outcome after salvage APR, with special emphasis on perineal wound healing. Mean age at diagnosis was 59 (range: 41–83) years. After a median of 16 months, only 2 patients developed a local recurrence. The 5-year overall survival was 30%. In 11 patients the perineal wound was closed primarily, in 3 patients the perineal wound was left open, and in 4 patients a vertical rectus abdominus musculocutaneous (VRAM) flap was used. Perineal wound breakdown occurred in 5 of the 14 patients (36%) not treated with primary muscle reconstruction. In all patients treated with a VRAM flap the perineal wound healed primarily. In the present study salvage APR in recurrent or persistent anal cancer results in good local control and 5-year overall survival of 30%. When performing an APR a VRAM flap reconstruction should be considered to prevent disabling perineal wound complications.     

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??Application of pelvic peritoneum reconstuction accompanied with irrigation and negative pressure drainage in robotic abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer CAO Chuan-lin??LIU Dong-ning??TANG Cheng??et al. Department of General Surgery??the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University??Nanchang 330006??China
Corresponding author??LI Tai-yuan??E-mail??jylitaiyuan@sina.com
Abstract Objective To explore feasibility and efficacy of pelvic peritoneum reconstuction (PPR) accompanied with irrigation and negative pressure drainage after robotic abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer. Methods The clinical data of 59 cases of low-rectal cancer patients treated from December 2014 to April 2016 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University were analyzed retrospectively. Among all the cases, 31 cases received PPR accompanied with irrigation and negative pressure drainage in robotic APR (closed group) and 28 cases received gravity drainage without PPR (unclosed group). Operative and postoperative details were compared between two groups. Results No conversion occurred in the two groups. The pelvic peritoneum was closed successfully in closed group. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of operation time ??(186.6±23.0) min vs. (176.9±19.4)min??P=0.088???incidence of perineal hernia ??0(0/31) vs. 7.1%(2/28)??P=0.221?? and incidence of intestinal obstruction ??3.2%(1/31) vs. 10.7%(3/28)??P=0.337??. Compared with unclosed group??closed group displayed lower incision infection rate ??6.5%(2/31) vs. 32.1%(9/28)??P=0.011??. The intra-oprerative blood loss??the number of retrieved lymph node??positive circumferential resection margin and time to remove the drainage tube were similar between two groups. One case of tumor recurrence occurred in unclosed group. Conclusion PPR is necessary after robotic APR for rectal cancer??which accompanied with irrigation and negative pressure drainage might significantly reduce incidence of complications.     

Miles会阴切除术的技术改进

目的探讨肛管直肠癌会阴切除术(PR)的技术改进方法和临床应用价值。方法对126例按常规进行腹会阴联合根治术(APR,常规手术组)和153例按技术改进方法(技术改进组)进行手术的病例资料进行回顾性分析。结果常规手术组术中、术后大出血12例(9.5%),技术改进组3例(2.0%)。常规手术组术中切破肠壁27例(21.4%),切破肿瘤19例(15.1%),输尿管损伤4例(3.2%),前列腺损伤11例(8.7%),后尿道损伤5例(4.0%);技术改进组术中切破肠壁7例(4.6%),切破肿瘤5例(3.3%),无输尿管损伤,前列腺损伤4例(2.6%),无后尿道损伤。常规手术组死亡1例;技术改进组无死亡者。常规手术组会阴切口延迟愈合49例(38.9%),局部复发16例(12.7%);技术改进组会阴切口延迟愈合22例(14.4%),局部复发11例(7.2%)。两组术后并发症发生率比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.01)。结论PR技术改进可降低术后各种并发症的发生率。     

Surgical treatment of adenocarcinoma of the rectum.

OBJECTIVE: The authors' aim was to determine survival and recurrence rates in patients undergoing resection of rectal cancer achieved by abdominoperineal resection (APR), coloanal anastomosis (CAA), and anterior resection (AR) without adjuvant therapy. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: The surgery of rectal cancer is controversial; so, too, is its adjuvant management. Questions such as preoperative versus postoperative radiation versus no radiation are key. An approach in which the entire mesorectum is excised has been proposed as yielding low recurrence rates. METHODS: Of 1423 patients with resected rectal cancers, 491 patients were excluded, leaving 932 with a primary adenocarcinoma of the rectum treated at Mayo. Eighty-six percent were resected for cure. Surgery plus adjuvant treatment was performed in 418, surgery alone in 514. These 514 patients are the subject of this review. Among the 514 patients who underwent surgery alone, APR was performed in 169, CAA in 19, AR in 272, and other procedures in 54. Eighty-seven percent of patients were operated on with curative intent. The mean follow-up was 5.6 years; follow-up was complete in 92%. APR and CAA were performed excising the envelope of rectal mesentery posteriorly and the supporting tissues laterally from the sacral promontory to the pelvic floor. AR was performed using an appropriately wide rectal mesentery resection technique if the tumor was high; if the tumor was in the middle or low rectum, all mesentery was resected. The mean distal margin achieved by AR was 3 +/- 2 cm. RESULTS: Mortality was 2% (12 of 514). Anastomotic leaks after AR occurred in 5% (16 of 291) and overall transient urinary retention in 15%. Eleven percent of patients had a wound infection (abdominal and perineal wound, 30-day, purulence, or cellulitis). The local recurrence and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 7% and 78%, respectively, after AR; 6% and 83%, respectively, after CAA; and 4% and 80%, respectively, after APR. Patients with stage III disease, had a 60% disease-free survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: Complete resection of the envelope of supporting tissues about the rectum during APR, CAA, and AR when tumors were low in the rectum is associated with low mortality, low morbidity, low local recurrence, and good 5-year survival rates. Appropriate "tumor-specific" mesorectal excision during AR when the tumor is high in the rectum is likewise consistent with a low rate of local recurrence and good long-term survival. However, the overall failure rate of 40% in stage III disease (which is independent of surgical technique) means that surgical approaches alone are not sufficient to achieve better long-term survival rates.     

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.     

Improvement of perineal wound healing following rectum amputation by omentum flap

The aim of the presented study was to find whether significant improvement in perineal woundhealing could be achieved by placing pedunculate parts of greater omentum in the sacral cavity after rectal amputation. 70 patients undergoing rectal amputation were evaluated, in 34 patients pedunculate parts of the greater omentum were positioned in the presacral cavity. Results show that an omentum flap improves primary perineal woundhealing and reduces per secundam woundhealing time (p less than 0.025). Since regular placement of pedunculate parts all wounds were closed after 3 months. Sinus formation is reduced (p less than 0.05). Suction drainage must be removed early, otherwise infections aggravate woundhealing going up the tube (p less than 0.001). We conclude from our results that the placement of pedunculate parts of the greater omentum in the sacral cavity after rectal amputation is a useful method to improve perineal woundhealing and should be done as routine procedure.     

Miles术后会阴部切口感染的危险因素分析及预防对策

目的探讨Miles术后会阴部切口感染的危险因素,并为术后会阴部切口感染提供有价值的预防措施。方法收集2013年1月至2015年12月在扬州大学附属泰兴医院就诊且行Miles手术的61例直肠癌病人临床资料,根据是否术前用洗必泰清洗会阴部、术中麻醉消毒后即刻封闭肛门这一干预措施分为观察组和对照组,分析比较两组术后会阴部切口感染发生率及其他相关临床指标是否有差异;根据术后是否发生切口感染把研究对象分为感染组及非感染组,分析术后会阴部切口感染的危险因素。结果两组总体会阴部切口感染率为19.7%(12/61),观察组的会阴部切口感染发生率与对照组相比(6.5%比33.3%)降低(P0.05),并且术后抗生素使用时间及住院时间均减少(P0.05)。单因素分析显示,Miles术后会阴部切口感染组与未感染组在干预措施、合并糖尿病、输血、浸润深度、肿瘤分期方面比较,差异均有统计学意义(均P0.05);多因素分析显示未使用干预措施、合并糖尿病、输血、肿瘤分期(Ⅳ期)是Miles术后会阴部切口感染的危险因素;干预措施是预防术后会阴部切口感染的保护性措施。结论未使用干预措施、合并糖尿病、输血、肿瘤分期是Miles术后会阴部切口感染的危险因素,而术前洗必泰清洗会阴部、术中麻醉消毒后即刻封闭肛门能降低术后切口感染发生率,是术后会阴部切口感染的有效预防措施。     

直肠癌根治术后引流的应用

目的 总结直肠癌根治术后应用引流的体会。方法 回顾性研究自１９９６年５月至２０００年５月行直肠癌根治术的８７例病例。结果 腹会阴联合切除术（ＡＰＲ）４０例,术后会阴切口一期愈合３７例（９２．５％）、感染３例（７．５％）、出血１例、肠梗阻１例;低位前切除术（ＬＡＲ）４７例,术后贫腔感染１例、吻合口漏１例。结论 直肠癌根治术后引流的应用是减少局部并发症的有效措施。     

Risk factors for impaired healing of the perineal wound after abdominoperineal resection of rectum for carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Nonhealing perineal wound is an unpleasant complication of surgical excision of the rectum and anus. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk factors for impaired perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection (APR) of rectum for adenocarcinoma, particularly with the increasing use of neo-adjuvant chemoradiation. METHOD: The study included 38 consecutive patients (29 men, nine women; median age 66 years, range: 43-86), who underwent surgical excision of rectum and anus for adenocarcinoma from 1999 to 2004. Thirty-seven patients underwent APR of rectum and one patient, who developed carcinoma in the background of chronic ulcerative colitis, had panproctocolectomy. Associations between the failure of the perineal wound to heal and a number of patient, tumour and treatment-related variables were evaluated by Pearson chi-square test or Fisher's exact test, as appropriate. A P-value of <0.05 was considered significant. Multivariate statistical technique of principal component analysis was also used to identify risk factors and their relative contribution to impaired healing. RESULTS: Impaired healing of the perineal wound was observed in 10 (26%) of 38 patients. In four of them (11%) the wound remained nonhealed in 1 year after surgery. Preoperative radiotherapy, delayed primary closure of the wound and alcohol consumption in excess of 28 units/week was statistically significantly associated with impaired wound healing. Principal component analysis identified the following seven factors that cumulatively contributed to 96% of impaired healing: (i) distant metastases, (ii) preoperative radiotherapy, (iii) T-stage of the tumour, (iv) smoking, (v) perioperative blood transfusion, (vi) preoperative chemotherapy and (vii) development of side effects of preoperative chemoradiation. CONCLUSION: Patients who undergo APR of rectum are prone to impaired healing of the perineal wound if radiotherapy is used to treat malignancy prior to surgery and wound closure is delayed. In addition, the wound may not heal in patients with distant metastases, excessive alcohol consumption, present and past smokers and those who suffer adverse effects of preoperative chemoradiation and require blood transfusion.     

Randomized clinical trial of conventional versus cylindrical abdominoperineal resection for locally advanced lower rectal cancer

BackgroundAn alternative treatment for low rectal cancer is the cylindrical technique. We aim to compare the outcomes of patients undergoing conventional abdominoperineal resection (APR) versus cylindrical APR.MethodsA prospective, randomized, open-label, parallel controlled trial was conducted between January 2008 and December 2010. Sixty-seven patients with T3-T4 low rectal cancer were identified during the study period (conventional n = 32, cylindrical n = 35).ResultsPatients who received cylindrical APR had less operative time for the perineal portion (P < .001), larger perineal defect (P < .001), less intraoperative blood loss (P = .001), larger total cross-sectional tissue area (P < .001), similar total operative time (P = .096), and more incidence of perineal pain (P < .001). The local recurrence of the cylindrical APR group was improved statistically (P = .048).ConclusionsCylindrical APR in the prone jackknife position has the potential to reduce the risk of local recurrence without increased complications when compared with conventional APR in the lithotomy position for the treatment of low rectal cancer.