A simple technique for vascular control during hepatectomy: the half-Pringle

Persistent perineal sinus is a common and serious cause of morbidity after proctectomy for Crohn's disease. Recently we have performed excision and omentoplasty on 6 patients with persistent perineal sinus. The perineal sinus was completely excised and communication was established with the pelvis. In 4 patients, the left gastroepiploic vessels were divided close to their origins and in 2 other patients the right gastroepiploic vessels were divided. The omentum was brought down to the perineum and it was lightly sutured to the perineal skin. After a median follow-up of 28 months, the perineal sinus had healed in 5 patients. In 1 patient the omentum became necrotic and infected 1 month after omentoplasty, and this patient still has a complex sinus. Although the number of patients is small, omentoplasty may be an effective procedure for the treatment of persistent perineal sinus after proctectomy for Crohn's disease.     

Pedicled flaps in the treatment of nonhealing perineal wounds

INTRODUCTION: A persistent sinus is an annoying complication following proctectomy. We examined the experience of a single colorectal surgeon in treating this condition using pedicled flaps. METHODS: Case note review of all patients undergoing gracilis muscle transposition, Rectus abdominis muscle flap or omental flap for persistent perineal sinus. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were identified: seven had gracilis muscle transposition, eight had omental transposition and two had a rectus abdominis flap. 13/17 patients who underwent a flap had a persistent sinus following proctectomy for Inflammatory bowel disease. Four patients who had a gracilis muscle transposition achieved healing. Seven out of eight patients had good results with omental transposition. One patient did well after a rectus abdominis flap. CONCLUSIONS: A gracilis transposition is a relatively simple operation with minimal morbidity useful for superficial sinuses not requiring a muscle bulk. A rectus abdominis flap is a more complex specialized procedure with better results especially in dealing with larger cavities but it may compromise future stoma sites. Omentoplasty has excellent results, but is only available in some patients.     

Closure of postproctectomy perineal sinus with gracilis muscle flaps

Between 1975 and 1985, 21 patients underwent muscle-flap repair of a persistent perineal sinus. All had previously undergone a proctectomy for ulcerative colitis (7 patients), Crohn's disease (10), trauma (2) or cancer (2). A total of 133 (mean 6.8, range from 1 to 25) previous surgical attempts had been made to eradicate the sinus. At follow-up after muscle-flap repair (mean 47 months), the sinus was completely healed in 14 patients. However, 10 of these patients had required further perineal operations (mean 1.9, range from 0 to 9). In those with a successful result, the average time taken for the sinus to heal was 2.3 months (range from 1 to 24 months). In three patients, a wound that had initially healed reopened (mean 7 months) and has remained unhealed. Although a gracilis flap will likely cure a refractory perineal sinus, the healing period may be prolonged, and reoperation is frequently required.     

Closure of persistent post-proctectomy perineal sinus using a rectus muscle flap

A persistent perineal sinus following proctocolectomy or proctectomy is a not infrequent complication associated with considerable morbidity. Two cases are presented where the perineal sinus was closed using a rectus abdominis flap. This method of closure allows safe, complete excision of the sinus and insertion of a muscle flap which completely fills the defect, enabling complete, primary healing of the perineum.     

Management of chronic perineal sinuses by wide excision and split-thickness skin grafting

Nine patients who had chronic perineal sinuses following proctectomy for inflammatory bowel disease underwent wide excision of the sinus and split-thickness skin grafting. All patients had persistent pain and discharge. All but one had undergone multiple surgical procedures previously. Fibrous tissue was excised from the sinus tract and the wound was grafted either immediately (six patients) or at a later date (three patients). Five patients had complete healing of the wound initially while four required further procedures. Eight patients have been followed up for an average of 4.6 years (range from 5 months to 12 years). Complete healing was achieved in seven patients; all are free of pain and can work or are unrestricted in their daily activities. One patient is improved but still requires analgesia and is disabled by the persistent pelvic pain.     

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.     

Gracilis transposition in complicated perianal fistula and unhealed perineal wounds in Crohn's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of transposition of gracilis muscle in the treatment of chronic recurrent fistulas and unhealed perineal wounds after proctectomy in patients with Crohn's disease. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Academic clinic, United States. SUBJECTS: 7 patients with Crohn's disease: 3 had unhealed perineal wounds and persistent sinuses; 2 had had several attempts to repair rectovaginal fistulas; 1 had a rectourethral fistula; and 1 a pouch vaginal fistula. INTERVENTION: Transposition of the gracilis muscle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Healing. RESULTS: Mean follow up was 18 months (range 3-30). All patients operated on for unhealed perineal wounds had healed completely within 3-6 months. The patients with a rectovaginal fistula and a rectourethral fistula had both healed by 1 month postoperatively. Two fistulas recurred, and the small pouch-vaginal fistula remained but was asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Transposition of the gracilis is a viable option for the treatment of persistent sinus and unhealed perineal wound after proctectomy for Crohn's disease. It could also be an option before proctectomy for patients with other types of Crohn's-related or complicated fistulas for whom other treatments have failed. A larger series will be required before a definite conclusion can be drawn.     

Primary closure of complicated perineal wounds with myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps after proctectomy for Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to detail the use of advanced tissue transfer techniques to achieve primary closure of the perineal wound after proctectomy for Crohn's disease. METHODS: Between October 1984 and March 2000, we performed proctectomy with permanent intestinal stoma in 97 patients with Crohn's disease. Twelve of these patients (12.4%) required at least 1 myocutaneous flap to achieve primary closure of the perineal wound. Details of each patient's perioperative course were recorded prospectively. RESULTS: All 12 patients had fistulizing perineal Crohn's disease combined with Crohn's proctitis. Two patients had a simultaneous anal adenocarcinoma. Indications for flap closure included management of large perineal skin defects (n = 11), reconstruction of the posterior vaginal wall (n = 2), and the need to fill a large pelvic dead space (n = 3). (Three patients had a combination of the previous indications). In total, 6 rectus abdominis, 5 gluteus maximus, 1 posterior thigh, 3 chimeric posterior thigh, and 1 latissimus dorsi flaps were performed. Six patients required more than 1 flap. Three patients had complications develop related to the flaps (2 wound hematomas and 1 seroma). Complete perineal healing was achieved in all patients. CONCLUSIONS: Complex tissue flap closure of the perineal wound after proctectomy for perineal complications of Crohn's disease should be considered when simple closure is not possible or when reconstruction of the posterior wall of the vagina is necessary.     

Perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection.

The healing of the perineal wound after proctectomy depends on the disease, the presence of perianal infection, and the technique of management of the perineum. Experience shows that when the perineum is left open, healing by secondary intention is accompanied by a significant morbidity, extended hospitalization, continued disability, prolonged postoperative drainage and an occasional persistent perineal sinus. The patients required daily care of the perineum for two to 12 months. The wound healed slower in patients with inflammatory disease of the colon. Within six months the perineum healed in 58 per cent of the patients with inflammatory disease and 70 per cent of the patients with carcinoma. After one year, healing had taken place in 98 per cent of the patients. It is necessary to leave the perineal wound open in the patients with perineal sepsis, contamination and uncontrollable hemorrhage. For the other patients, there should be some attempt to close the perineum and obtain primary healing of the wound.     

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.     

Cleft closure for the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease

Aim Treatments for pilonidal sinus disease are numerous and prone to failure. In complex disease, the morbidity is high. In contrast with complex operations, the cleft closure procedure can be done simply and successfully with better cosmetic results. We present the results of a single‐centre experience of this procedure. Method One hundred and fifty patients had the operation; most were treated as a day case and many were operated under local anaesthetic. Results Primary healing occurred in 83 (60%) of 139 patients. Recurrences requiring surgery have been seen in 5.3%. The long‐term cosmetic appearance has been noted to approach normality. Conclusion Cleft closure is a simple and highly effective operation to treat recurrent or extensive pilonidal sinus disease.     

The glutaeus maximus muscle flap in the management of persistent perineal sinus

Delayed healing of the perineal wound is a common complication following proctectomy for inflammatory bowel disease. A persistent sinus requires wide and adequate drainage, but the resulting large cavity with rigid walls may take more than a year to heal. Mobilization of a viable flap of gluctaeus maximus muscle to fill the cavity allows healing within a few weeks.     

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.     

Adipo-fascio-cutaneous flaps in the treatment of pilonidal sinus: experience with 50 cases

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyse the results of pilonidal sinus managed using wide excision with primary eccentric closure with various adipo-fascio-cutaneous flaps. METHODS: Data from 50 consecutive patients who had elective surgery for chronic pilonidal sinus with wide excision of all the sinuses and primary eccentric closure with various adipo-fascio-cutaneous flaps (40 lateral advancements, 4 Z-plasties, four rotations, 1 rhomboid and 1 V-Y advancement) were retrospectively analysed. Special emphasis was placed on partial obliteration of the natal cleft, duration of wound healing, postoperative morbidity and hospital stay, loss of work days, cosmetic outcome and recurrence. RESULTS: In all patients, partial obliteration of the natal cleft was achieved by eccentric primary wound closure, with good cosmesis. Superficial necrosis of the flaps occurred in five patients (3 Z-plasties, 2 rotation flaps). None had collection, haematoma, infection or recurrence. CONCLUSION: Complete eccentric excision and partial obliteration of the natal cleft using various adipo-fascio-cutaneous flaps ensured reliable wound healing with fewer dressings and morbidity, shortened hospital stay and early resumption of work, good cosmesis and prevention of early and late recurrence. The lateral advancement flap is a viable option in the treatment of chronic pilonidal sinus.     

Fistulous complications of Crohn's disease.

The fistulas encountered in Crohn's disease are a frequent complication and may be internal or external. The first type are gut-to-gut, the second gut-to-skin. Of the 47 Crohn's disease patients operated in this series, 13 presented at least one fistula. The series included 4 cases (8.51%) of external and 9 (19.14%) of internal fistula. A complete cure was obtained in 92.3%, the one failure relating to the still incomplete closure of an enterocutaneous fistula treated conservatively. Surgical mortality was nil and morbidity 15.38% (one energy reoperation and one delayed closure of a perineal wound following proctectomy). The present review examines the various types of fistula encountered and their possible treatment.     

Utility of the cleft lift procedure in refractory pilonidal disease

BACKGROUND: Refractory pilonidal disease is a problem. We wished to show the utility of the cleft lift procedure in solving nonhealing. METHODS: We selected a subset of challenging cases for this study. The subset included all patients referred with persistent open wounds despite at least 2 prior pilonidal surgeries elsewhere. RESULTS: The 69 patients had undergone 223 surgeries (average, 3) and endured open wounds for a sum of 365 years (average, 5). All patients we contacted were healed after a single cleft lift surgery with 3 exceptions. Two patients required 2 lifts before healing and 1 patient required 3 lifts. CONCLUSIONS: The cleft lift procedure gave excellent results in patients with refractory pilonidal disease.     

Primary suture of the perineal wound using constant suction and irrigation, following rectal excision for inflammatory bowel disease.

Thirty-four consecutive patients with inflammatory bowel disease underwent proctectomy with primary closure of the perineal wound. Throughout this period neither preoperative perineal sepsis nor intraoperative soiling was a contraindication to primary closure. An overall primary healing rate of 82% was obtained. It appears that the commonest cause of perineal wound breakdown is the inability of the suction catheter to drain all the serous fluid from the perineal space, resulting in discharge from the suture line and wound breakdown.     

A novel approach to closure of perineal wounds during abdominoperineal resection: use of fibrin sealant

Abdominoperineal resection is associated with significant morbidity. The perineal wound poses a unique risk and complications are common, including skin breakdown, abscess, sinus tracts, perineal herniation, and evisceration. A 2-component fibrin sealant made from pooled human plasma has been proven to achieve hemostasis and tissue sealing. We report a case series of 5 consecutive patients in whom we used this fibrin sealant during perineal wound closure. Of our patients, 2 patients (40%) were diabetic and 4 patients (80%) received preoperative radiotherapy. The median body mass index was 32 (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared). The patients were at increased risk of perineal wound dehiscence and infection. Median follow-up was 6 months, and no patients had perineal wound complications. A fibrin sealant could be used as an alternative to more invasive procedures, such as flap reconstruction, in patients at high risk of perineal wound dehiscence.     

Primary myocutaneous flap closure following resection of locally advanced pelvic malignancies

BACKGROUND: Perineal wounds, created at the time of extended resection for locally advanced malignancy and following chemoradiation, are at risk of serious complications. METHODS: To determine whether immediate myocutaneous flap closure prevents complications, 57 patients treated with multimodality therapy and proctectomy (35 perineal wounds) or sacrectomy (22 posterior wounds) were studied. Patients were categorized according to whether they underwent primary skin and pelvic closure (group 1; ,n = 20); primary skin and omental pelvic closure (group 2; n = 24); or immediate myocutaneous flap closure (group 3; n = 13). RESULTS: Groups were similar with respect to age and sex; however, group 1 had more primary tumours and required less radical surgery and chemoirradiation than groups 2 and 3. Groups 1 and 2 experienced more complications overall (eight of 20, nine of 24 and three of 13 patients in groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively), more acute wound complications (seven of 20, nine of 24 and two of 13), delayed wound healing (three of 20, six of 24 and one of 13) and more reoperations for perineal wound problems (five of 20, seven of 24 and zero of 13). Patients in group 2 had a significantly longer hospital stay than those in group 1. Flap closure (group 3) did not increase the length of stay. The routine use of primary flap closure reduced overall wound complications (eight of 31 versus ten of 26 patients) and length of hospitalization (13 versus 17 days). CONCLUSION: Complete wound healing was achieved in all patients; however, immediate myocutaneous flap closure reduced the need for readmission and reoperation.     

Persistent perineal sinus: Incidence,pathogenesis, risk factors,and management

This review discusses the incidence, pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnosis, and therapeutic options for persistent perineal sinus (PPS), defined as a perineal wound that remains unhealed more than 6 months after surgery. The incidence of PPS after surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) ranges from 3% to 70% and after abdominoperineal resection (APR) for low rectal cancer, it can be up to 30%. These unhealed wounds are frequently related to perioperative pelvic or perineal sepsis. Crohn’s disease (CD) and neoadjuvant radiation therapy are also important risk factors. The management of PPS is based on an understanding of pathogenesis and clinical grounds. The advantages and disadvantages of the current therapeutic approaches, including the topical administration of various drugs, vacuum-assisted closure, and perineal reconstruction with a muscle flap or a myocutaneous flap are also discussed.