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.     

Use of transpelvic rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap for anal cancer salvage surgery

BACKGROUND: Perineal wounds following abdominoperineal resection (APR), for persistent or locally recurrent anal cancer, are associated with poor healing secondary to irradiation therapy. The results of APR combined with a vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (VRAM) flap transposed transpelvically to cover the perineal defect are presented. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2000, 105 patients were diagnosed and treated for anal cancer. Twenty-two (21 per cent) underwent a salvage operation owing to persistent or locally recurrent disease. In eight patients, before 1996, the perineum was closed primarily with serious wound complications in five. In the final 14 patients, primary perineal reconstruction with a VRAM flap was performed. RESULTS: Median age was 65.5 (range 45-78) years. Median follow-up was 14.5 (range 3-41) months. There were no flap-related complications and primary healing was achieved in all patients. Median hospital stay was 17 (range 14-72) days. There were two major complications related to the laparotomy and abdominal closure. CONCLUSION: Combining the salvage operation with a VRAM flap facilitates primary healing after surgical treatment for persistent or locally recurrent anal cancer. A single-stage primary reconstructive procedure is feasible, with an acceptable complication rate and high level of patient satisfaction.     

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.     

Risk Factors for Complications After Laparoscopic Surgery in Colorectal Cancer Patients: Experience of 401 Cases at a Single Institution

Background  Laparoscopic surgery is widely used for the treatment of colorectal cancer, but little is known about perioperative risk factors for complications. Methods  Clinical data were reviewed for 401 consecutive unselected colorectal cancer patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery at Kyoto Medical Center between 1998 and 2005. The outcome variable was incidence of postoperative complications. Using logistic regression analysis, 58 background, clinical, preoperative, and intraoperative factors were assessed as potential predictors of complications. Results  The set of independent protective factors that had the greatest influence on the incidence of local complications after colon surgery was as follows: cefmetazole use for prophylaxis (versus oral only; adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.54), high operative infusion rate (per ml/min; OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70–0.95), regular laxative use (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.12–0.79), and double-stapled anastomosis (versus hand-sewn; OR 0.15, 95% CI 0.03–0.83). Independent risk factors for local complications after rectal surgery were abdominoperineal resection (versus low anterior resection, OR 4.84, 95% CI 1.64–14.9), long operative time (per hour, OR 1.55, 95% CI 1.11–2.23), and history of heart disease (OR 5.18, 95% CI 1.34–21.5). The occurrence of complications was not found to be associated with overall survival in this study. Conclusions  We identified intraoperative management such as low operative infusion rate is one of the independent significant risk factors for complications after laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer in addition to patient characteristics and surgical procedure. Electronic supplementary material  The online version of this article (doi:) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Radiological incidence of donor-site incisional hernia and parastomal hernia after vertical rectus abdominus myocutaneous flap-based reconstruction following colorectal surgery

Aim

A vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap is commonly used to reconstruct perineal defects for low rectal and anal cancer. The incidence of midline incisional hernias after VRAM reconstruction varies from 3.6% when detected clinically to 50% when detected radiologically. The aim of this study is to accurately determine the radiological incidence of donor-site incisional and parastomal hernia following VRAM reconstruction.

Method

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing colorectal surgery requiring VRAM reconstruction over 10 years. Data were collected on patient demographics, indication for surgery and surgical procedure, including details of any hernia repair. Images from surveillance CTs were reviewed for the presence and size of midline incisional and/or parastomal hernias. Parastomal hernias were classified based on the European Hernia Society (EHS) classification.

Results

One hundred and seventy three patients were included in the analysis. The median age was 67 years (range 29–88 years) and the median length of follow-up was 49 months (interquartile range 24.3–71.0 months). The cumulative incidence of donor-site incisional hernia after VRAM at 1, 2 and 5 years was 15.1%, 25.4% and 29.1%, respectively. The cumulative incidence for PSH at 1, 2 and 5 years was 33.1%, 46.6% and 53.3%, respectively (95% CI 45.4%–60.5%).

Conclusion

Most patients who develop donor-site incisional hernia and parastomal herniation following VRAM tend to do so within the first 2 years. Although the use of CT imaging improves the diagnosis of donor-site incisional and parastomal hernias, the clinical significance of this is unknown.     

Salvage abdominoperineal resection after failed Nigro protocol: modest success, major morbidity

OBJECTIVE: Chemotherapy and radiation (C-XRT) is the first-line therapy for epidermoid carcinomas of the anal canal (ECAC). Treatment failure occurs in up to 33% of patients. Salvage-abdominoperineal resection (APR) is the treatment of choice for locoregional failure but pre-operative radiation may increase wound complications. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient survival and wound complications after salvage-APR for C-XRT failure. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of all patients who failed initial C-XRT for ECAC diagnosed between 1992 and 2002. We evaluated patient demographics, treatment, tumour characteristics, survival and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Nineteen patients were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 55 years. Eight (42%) patients had persistent disease; 11 (58%) had tumour recurrence. APR was performed in 15 patients. Perineal wound complications occurred in 12 (80%) patients; half were major complications. Primary flap reconstruction at time of APR was performed in 5 (33%) patients; 2 experienced major wound complications. Overall-survival after salvage APR was 40% (6/15) and disease-free survival was 47% (7/15) at a median follow-up of 14 months (range 2-95 months). Recurrence after salvage-APR occurred in 7 (47%) patients at a median follow-up of 5 months (range 3-19 months). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed an advantage for recurrent over persistent disease with 2-year and 5-year survival rates of 75%vs 34% and 28%vs 0%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Failure of C-XRT for ECAC is associated with a poor prognosis. Although salvage APR may be curative in some patients, perineal wound complications are frequent and primary flap reconstruction is not reliable.     

Results of Surgical Salvage after Failed Chemoradiation Therapy for Epidermoid Carcinoma of the Anal Canal

Background The standard treatment for epidermoid carcinoma of the anal canal consists of combined radiation and chemotherapy. For patients who present with persistent or locally recurrent disease, salvage abdominoperineal resection is the treatment of choice. The purpose of this study is to review our experience with salvage surgery in this group of patients. Methods From 1990–2002, 31 patients underwent radical salvage surgery with curative intent after failure of initial sphincter-conserving therapy, and the medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathologic variables were determined and comparisons performed with the Cox proportional hazards model. Survival was calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method. Results Eleven patients underwent radical salvage surgery for persistent disease and 20 patients for recurrent disease. The median follow-up time was 29 months. The actuarial 5-year overall survival was 64%. Twelve patients developed recurrent disease after radical salvage surgery. Patients who received an initial radiation dose of less than 55 Gy had a significantly worse survival than those who received at least 55 Gy as part of their initial treatment (5-year overall survival 37.5% vs. 75%; age-adjusted hazard ratio 8.2 [95% CI: 1.1–59.8], P = .037). The presence of positive lymph nodes at presentation also adversely affected survival (P < .05). Factors that were not found to have an impact on survival included the presence of persistent versus recurrent disease, tumor (T) stage, and margin status of resection. Conclusions Long-term survival following salvage surgery for persistent or locally recurrent epidermoid carcinoma of the anal canal can be achieved in the majority of patients. However, patients who initially present with node-positive disease and patients who receive a radiation dose of less than 55 Gy as part of their initial chemoradiation therapy regimen have a worse prognosis after radical salvage surgery.     

Abdominal and perineal hernia rates following vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap reconstruction – a supraregional experience

BackgroundVertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap has proven to be a robust reconstruction method following radical pelvic surgery. Radical pelvic surgery is associated with high morbidity due to pelvic complications and non-healing perineal wounds, as a result of non-collapsible pelvic dead space and pre-operative adjuvant radiotherapy insult. VRAM flap reconstruction addresses both issues by obliterating the dead space and introducing healthy non-radiated tissue. However, flap reconstruction complications can include donor site hernias (abdominal wall), perineal hernias, and flap-specific complications. This study aimed to evaluate the abdominal and perineal hernia rates as well as radiological evidence of flap vascularity post-operatively.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent a VRAM flap reconstruction following radical pelvic surgery at Christchurch hospital over a 10-year period. We identified the presence of donor site hernias (abdominal wall hernias), perineal hernias, and flap vascularity on post-operative radiological imaging performed within 48 months.ResultsSeventy-seven patients underwent a VRAM flap reconstruction of which 60 patients met the inclusion requirements for the study (mean age was 60.3 years [range 26–89]; 31 were male and 29 were female). Eighteen patients underwent an APR and 42 underwent a partial or a complete pelvic exenteration and the majority of them (75.0%) were for rectal cancers. Available imaging was on average 21.6 months post-operatively (IQR 11.8–31.3 months). The donor site hernia rate was 16.7%, and the perineal hernia rate was 3.3%. VRAM flap appeared to have DIEA flow in 98.3% of the patients.ConclusionVRAM flap reconstruction of complex pelvic defects remains a robust method of choice in complex pelvic reconstruction with little morbidity.     

Salvage esophagectomy following definitive chemoradiotherapy

Objectives To evaluate the outcome of salvage surgery following definitive chemoradiotherapy (CRT) for locally advanced esophageal cancer. Methods We reviewed patients undergoing salvage esophagectomy from August 2000 through April 2006 at the National Cancer Center Hospital East, following 5-fluorouracil and cisplatinum chemotherapy with concurrent radiotherapy over 50 Gy. Clinicopathological backgrounds, complications, and survival were analyzed. Results Forty-six patients (42 men, all with squamous cell carcinoma) underwent salvage surgery after full-dose concurrent chemoradiotherapy. The median age was 61 years (range, 43–72). Thirteen patients had a relapse after complete response; 26 patients partial response; 4 patients progressive disease; 3 patients NC to CRT. Salvage surgery consisted of transthoracic esophagectomy, three-field node dissection, and reconstruction with the colon or stomach with vascular restoration. Operation time ranged from 257 to 602 min. Postoperative complications were pneumonia in 5; anastmotic leakage in 10; wound infection in 3; anastomotic stenosis in 2; recurrent nerve palsy in 4; pyothorax in 2; multiple organ failure in 1; myocardial infarction in 1; trachea necrosis in 1. There were four 30-day operative deaths and three more hospital deaths. The median survival time from salvage surgery was 12 months and that from CRT was 22 months. The 3-year survival rate was 17%. Three patients are surviving more than 3 years and their diseases were pathological N0. Conclusion Mobidity and mortality rates were high among patients undergoing salvage esophagectomy. However, there are some long-term survivors, and highly selected patients should be indicated for salvage surgery. Presented at the 59th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Japanese Association for Thoracic Surgery, held in Tokyo, Japan, October 1–4, 2006     

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.     

Patterns of local disease failure and outcome after salvage surgery in patients with anal cancer

BACKGROUND: Salvage surgery for anal cancer is usually reserved for local disease failure, but issues relating to the prediction of local failure and surgical outcome are ill defined. METHODS: Between 1988 and 2000, 254 patients with non-metastatic anal epidermoid carcinoma were treated at a regional cancer centre with radiotherapy (n = 127) or chemoradiotherapy (n = 127). RESULTS: There were 99 local disease failures (39.0 per cent), all but five occurring within 3 years of initial treatment. Increasing age (P < 0.001, Cox model), total radiation dose (P = 0.004) and tumour stage (P = 0.010) were independent predictors of local failure. The overall 3- and 5-year survival rates after local disease failure were 46 and 29 per cent; the corresponding rates after salvage surgery (73 patients) were 55 and 40 per cent. A positive resection margin was the strongest negative predictor of survival after salvage surgery (P = 0.008, log rank test). Of 52 patients treated before the routine consideration of primary plastic reconstruction, delayed perineal wound healing occurred in 22 (42 per cent). CONCLUSION: In the management of anal cancer, local disease failure is a major clinical problem requiring early detection followed by radical surgery, often accompanied by plastic reconstruction. By implication, these factors favour the centralization of treatment for this uncommon cancer to a multidisciplinary oncology team.     

Salvage abdominoperineal resection in anal epidermoid cancer

BACKGROUND: In the management of isolated locoregional failure after (chemo)radiation therapy for anal epidermoid cancer, salvage abdominoperineal resection (APR) is the treatment of choice. The results of a 15-year consecutive population-based series are reviewed. METHODS: Details of all patients with anal epidermoid cancer treated from 1985 to 2000 in the Stockholm Health Care Region were recorded prospectively. Among 308 patients with biopsy-proven anal epidermoid cancer, there have been 39 isolated locoregional failures after sphincter-preserving therapy. Thirty-five patients have undergone salvage APR. The medical records of these 35 patients were reviewed retrospectively with regard to surgical and oncological results. RESULTS: There were no postoperative deaths. There was considerable morbidity related to the perineal wound, with postoperative perineal infections in 13 patients and delayed healing beyond 3 months in 23 patients. Complications unrelated to the perineal wound were found in 13 patients. The crude 5-year survival rate for the 35 patients was 52 per cent (median follow-up 33 months). Patients with persistent disease fared significantly worse than those with locoregional recurrence (crude 5-year survival rate 33 versus 82 per cent; P < 0.05, log rank test). CONCLUSION: Salvage APR in anal epidermoid cancer is associated with a high complication rate but may result in long-term survival.     

Perineal salvage prostatectomy for radiation resistant prostate cancer

OBJECTIVES: No data are available on the use of perineal prostatectomy for salvage treatment of local recurrent prostate cancer after radiotherapy. Here we report on the clinical aspects and follow-up of salvage perineal prostatectomy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients underwent a perineal salvage prostatectomy from 1997-2005 for biopsy-proven local recurrent prostate cancer after external beam (n=22) or brachyradiotherapy (n=5). Staging included physical examination, prostate-specific antigen (PSA), transrectal ultrasound, computed tomography scan, and bone scan. RESULTS: Mean PSA before surgery was 8.6 ng/ml (+/-2.8 ng/ml). Comparing clinical staging with final pathologic staging after salvage perineal prostatectomy showed a 67% clinical understaging. Mean blood loss was 677 cc, and perioperative morbidity consisted of prolonged anastomotic leakage (n=8), urosepsis (n=3), prolonged hematuria (n=3), urinary retention (n=2), and rectal perforation (n=1). One patient died during the postoperative course because of urosepsis and endocarditis. At an interval of at least 12 mo after surgery, 37% (10 of 27) and 7% (2 of 27) of patients reported normal continence and erectile function, respectively. Five patients died during a mean follow-up of 43 mo; two patients died of prostate cancer. Five-year biochemical recurrence-free survival was 31% (95%CI, 25-42%). In a multivariate Cox regression analysis the serum PSA and PSA doubling time (PSADT) at the time of surgery were the best predictors of biochemical recurrence-free survival. No patient with a PSA>2 ng/ml and a PSADT<12 mo was without biochemical recurrence 2 yr after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Salvage perineal prostatectomy showed functional results that favorably compare with the retropubic approach, but considerable morbidity is still frequent. Proper patient selection therefore is mandatory. A serum PSA level of >2 ng/ml and PSADT<12 mo independently predict shorter biochemical recurrence-free survival.     

Attempted Salvage Resection for Recurrent Gastric or Gastroesophageal Cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine the outcome of surgery for patients with recurrent gastric or gastroesophageal cancer. We queried records from 7,459 patients who presented with gastric or gastroesophageal cancer to our institution from 1973 through 2005 to identify those for whom resection of recurrent disease had been attempted. We assessed the associations between various clinicopathologic factors and resectability with logistic regression analysis and between clinicopathologic factors and overall survival (OS) with the Cox proportional hazards model. Sixty patients underwent attempted resection for recurrent cancer. In 31 cases (52%), recurrent disease proved unresectable at laparotomy. Factors associated with the ability to undergo re-resection included neoadjuvant treatment prior to initial resection [odds ratio (OR) 12.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.9–75.6] and having an isolated local recurrence (OR 5.1, 95% CI 1.3–20.5). Of the 29 patients who underwent re-resection, 14 required adjacent organ resection, and 6 required interposition grafting. Three- and 5-year OS rates for all 60 patients were 21% and 12%, respectively; median follow-up time was 23 months. Median OS for patients undergoing resection was 25.8 months (95% CI 17.1–49.8) versus 6.0 months (95% CI 4.0–10.5) for unresectable patients (P < 0.001). Initial tumor location at the gastroesophageal junction was associated with diminished OS [hazard ratio (HR) 2.8, 95% CI 1.2–6.5] and ability to undergo resection of recurrence was associated with improved OS (HR 0.2, 95% CI 0.1–0.6). We conclude that surgical resection of select patients with recurrent gastric or gastroesophageal cancer can result in improved OS but often requires adjacent organ resection or interposition graft placement.     

Oncological results in women with wound complications following mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction: A meta-analysis

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the oncological results in women with wound complications following mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. A systematic literature search up to August 2022 was performed and 1618 subjects with mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction at the baseline of the studies; 443 of them were with wound complications, and 1175 were with no wound complications as a control. Odds ratio (OR) and mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the oncological results in women with wound complications following mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction using dichotomous or contentious methods with a random or fixed-effect model. The wound complications had a significantly longer length of time to adjuvant therapy (MD, 9.44; 95% CI, 4.07–14.82, P < .001) compared with no wound complications in subjects with mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction. However, no significant difference was found between wound complications and no wound complications in subjects with mastectomy and immediate breast reconstruction in breast cancer recurrence (OR, 1.96; 95% CI, 0.95–4.06, P = .07), death rates (OR, 1.95; 95% CI, 0.89–4.27, P = .09), and kind of immediate breast reconstruction (OR, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.53–1.92, P = .98). The wound complications had a significantly longer length of time to adjuvant, however, no significant difference was found in breast cancer recurrence, death rates, and kind of immediate breast reconstruction. The analysis of outcomes should be done with caution even though no low sample size was found in the meta-analysis but a low number of studies was found in certain comparisons.     

Laparoscopic Abdominoperineal Resection with Open Posterior Cylindrical Excision and Primary Transpelvic VRAM Flap

Background  

In our own experience over the last 15 years, the primary transpelvic vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap is a reliable tool to prevent perineal wound complications after cylindrical excision in radical anorectal tumor surgery. To minimize the operative trauma in such patients, we performed a laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection combined with an open posterior cylindrical excision and a primary transpelvic vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap via a minimal supraumbilical incision, which is described here for the first time.     

Laparoscopic and open surgery in rectal cancer patients in Germany: short and long-term results of a large 10-year population-based cohort

Rectal cancer is frequent in Germany and worldwide. Several studies have assessed laparoscopic surgery as a treatment option and most have shown favorable results. However, long-term oncologic safety remains a controversial issue. The current dataset derives from 30 clinical cancer registries in Germany and includes 16,378 patients diagnosed with rectal cancer between 2007 and 2016. Outcomes were 90-day mortality, overall survival (OS), local recurrence-free survival (RFS) and relative survival of patients treated with either open or laparoscopic surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate factors that affected the probability of a patient undergoing laparoscopic surgery as well as to evaluate short-term mortality. OS and RFS were analyzed by Kaplan–Meier plots and multivariable Cox regression conducted separately for UICC stages I–III, tumor location, and sex as well as by propensity score matching followed by univariable and multivariable survival analysis. Of 16,378 patients, 4540 (27.7%) underwent laparoscopic surgery, a trend which increased during the observation period. Patients undergoing laparoscopy attained better results for 90-day mortality (odds ratio, OR 0.658, 95% confidence interval, CI 0.526–0.822). The 5-year OS rate in the laparoscopic group was 82.6%, vs. 76.6% in the open surgery group, with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.819 in multivariable Cox regression (95% CI 0.747–0.899, p < 0.001). The laparoscopic group showed a better 5-year RFS, with 81.8 vs. 74.3% and HR 0.770 (95% CI 0.705–0.842, p < 0.001). The 5-year relative survival rates were also in favor of laparoscopy, with 93.1 vs. 88.4% (p = 0.012). Laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer can be performed safely and, according to this study, is associated with an oncological outcome superior to that of the open procedure. Therefore, in the absence of individual contraindications, it should be considered as a standard approach.     

Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Anal Canal: Utilization and Outcomes of Recommended Treatment in the United States

Background  Over the past two decades, recommended treatment for squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal has shifted from surgery to primary chemoradiation. Resection is now reserved for persistent or recurrent disease. Our objectives were (1) to evaluate treatment trends over the past 20 years, (2) to assess contemporary treatment utilization, and (3) to examine the impact of recommended vs nonguideline treatment on survival. Methods  From the National Cancer Data Base (1985–2005), 38,882 patients with anal canal cancer were identified. Regression models were used to assess factors associated with use of nonguideline treatment (vs chemoradiation ±surgery). Univariate and multivariate methods were used to assess the impact of treatment on survival. Results  From 1985 to 2005, the use of chemoradiation increased significantly with a concomitant decrease in treatment with surgery alone (P < .0001). However, only 74.9% (5014 of 6696) of patients underwent primary chemoradiation therapy in 2003–2005. Overall, 22.7% (1523 of 6696) of patients received treatment that was not concordant with established guidelines: primary surgery (13.0%) and primary chemotherapy or radiation (9.7%). Patients were significantly less likely to receive guideline treatment if male, older, black or Hispanic, more severe comorbidities, or Stage I (vs Stage II or III). Patients undergoing chemoradiation ( ± surgery) had higher 5-year survival rates than patients who received nonguideline treatment (64% vs 58%; hazard ratio 0.82, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.77–0.87; P < .0001). Conclusion  Primary chemoradiation therapy has supplanted surgical treatment and is associated with better outcomes; however, nearly a quarter of patients are still receiving treatment that is not concordant with established guidelines. This study was presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the Society of Surgical Oncology on March 15, 2008 in Chicago, IL.     

Surgical Approach to Extensive Hidradenitis Suppurativa in the Perineal/Peri-Anal and Gluteal Regions

Background  Verneuil’s disease, or hidradenitis suppurativa, is a chronic suppurative disease with a tendency to sinus formation, fibrosis, and sclerosis. It is a disease of the apocrine sweat glands and may arise from each of the localizations where apocrine glands are prominent: axilla, nipples, umbilicus, perineum, groin, and buttocks. Extensive hidradenitis suppurativa of the perineal/perianal and the gluteal regions constitute a serious social problem. In this study, we present our experience with stage III extensive hidradenitis suppurativa cases, including our treatment methods and patient outcomes. Methods  A retrospective review of the medical records from January 1990 to July 2003 of 15 patients was performed. Results  Fifteen patients underwent treatment for extensive hidradenitis suppurativa in the gluteal, perineal/perianal, and inguinal areas with total surgical excision. All patients were men (100%) and their mean age was 42.5 (range, 23–66) years. The patients underwent a total number of 21 operations. In 11 patients wounds were left open for secondary healing, and the mean time for complete wound healing in this group was 12.2 (range, 9.5–22) weeks. Two patients underwent primary wound closure by the application of rotation flaps, and their complete healing times were observed to be approximately 2 weeks. Delayed skin grafting was used for the remaining two patients in whom the wounds had been left open after the initial operation. In this group, complete wound healing took a total of 8 weeks. Only one diverting colostomy was needed in a patient in the delayed skin-grafting group. Squamous cell carcinoma was diagnosed in the specimens of one patient treated with total excision followed by the application of a rotation flap. This patient had had complaints of gluteal discharge for approximately 30 years. The cancer recurred after 6 months in the perianal region and immediate abdominoperineal resection was performed. He died during the second postoperative month due to systemic spread of the malignancy. At the end of a 5-year mean follow-up period, all remaining patients had no evidence of disease. Conclusions  Conservative treatment methods have little or no effect on extensive perineal/perianal hidradenitis suppurativa. Therefore, total surgical excision must be considered for these patients to prevent further complications, such as abscess, sinus tract formation, fistulization, and scarring. A temporary stoma may be needed in some cases. Because wound management after total excision is performed via different methods according to each individual patient, multidisciplinary team work is necessary and the patients often require a long hospital stay. If the treatment is not performed in an appropriate manner or if the patients are not followed closely until definitive healing, recurrence is almost inevitable. Despite the low incidence of accompanying squamous cell carcinoma, it is the most serious complication. We evaluated 15 patients to present our experience with extensive perineal/perianal and gluteal hidradenitis suppurativa.     

Rectus Flap Reconstruction Decreases Perineal Wound Complications After Pelvic Chemoradiation and Surgery: A Cohort Study

Background A major source of morbidity after abdominoperineal resection (APR) after external beam pelvic radiation is perineal wound complications, seen in up to 66% of cases. Our purpose was to determine the effect of rectus abdominus myocutaneous (RAM) flap reconstruction on perineal wound morbidity in this population.Methods The study group consisted of 19 patients with anorectal cancer treated with external beam pelvic radiation followed by APR and RAM flap reconstruction of the perineum. A prospectively collected database was queried to identify a control group (n = 59) with anorectal cancer treated with similar radiation doses that subsequently underwent an APR without a RAM flap during the same time period. Comparison of percentages was performed with a two-sided Fishers exact test, and comparison of means was performed with Wilcoxons test.Results Perineal wound complications occurred in 3 (15.8%) of the RAM flap patients and 26 (44.1%) of the control patients (P = .03). The incidence of other complications was not different between groups (42.1% vs. 42.4%; P = .8). Despite an increased number of anal squamous tumors, an increased vaginectomy rate, increased use of intraoperative radiotherapy, and an increased proportion of cases with recurrent disease, the flap group had a significantly lower rate of perineal wound complications relative to the control group.Conclusions Perineal closure with a RAM flap significantly decreases the incidence of perineal wound complications in patients undergoing external beam pelvic radiation and APR for anorectal neoplasia. Because other complications are not increased, RAM flap closure of the perineal wound should be strongly considered in this patient population.Presented at the Society of Surgical Oncologys 57th Annual Cancer Symposium, New York, New York, March 2004.