Pelvic Reconstruction following Abdominoperineal Resection and Pelvic Exenteration: Management Practices among Plastic and Colorectal Surgeons

Background Pelvic reconstruction with a muscle flap significantly improves postoperative outcomes following abdominoperineal resection (APR). Despite it being the gold standard, significant surgeon-selection bias remains with respect to the necessity of pelvic obliteration, flap choice, and ostomy placement. The objective of the study was to characterize management practices among colorectal surgeons (CSs) and plastic surgeons (PSs). Methods Specialty-specific surveys were distributed electronically to CSs and PSs via surgical societies. Surveys were designed to illustrate geographic and specialty-specific differences in management. Results Of 106 (54 CSs and 52 PSs) respondents (58% Canada, 21% Europe, 14% the United States, and 6% Asia/Africa), significant interdisciplinary differences in practices were observed. Most respondents indicated that multidisciplinary meetings were not performed (74% of CSs and 78% of PSs). For a nonradiated pelvic dead space with small perineal defect, 91% of CSs and 56% of PSs indicated that flap reconstruction was not required. For a radiated pelvic dead space with small perineal defect, only 54% of CSs and 6% of PSs indicated that there was no need for flap reconstruction. With respect to ostomy placement, 87% of CSs and 21% of PSs indicated that stoma placement through the rectus was superior. When two ostomies were required, most CSs preferred exteriorizing ostomies through bilateral recti and requesting thigh-based reconstruction. PSs favored the vertical rectus abdominis muscle (VRAM; 52%) over the gracilis (23%) and inferior gluteal artery perforator (IGAP; 23%) flaps. Among PSs, North Americans favor abdominally based flaps (VRAM 60%), while Europeans favor gluteal-based flaps (IGAP 78%). Conclusion A lack of standardization continues to exist with respect to the reconstruction of pelvic defects following APR and pelvic exenteration. Geographic and interdisciplinary biases with respect to ostomy placement, flap choice, and role for pelvic obliteration continues to influence reconstructive practices. These cases should continue to be approached on a case by case basis, driven by pathology, presence of radiation, comorbidities, and the size of the pelvic and perineal defect.

Optimal postoperative management of perineal flaps in oncologic patients undergoing extralevator abdominoperineal excision: An introduction of a postoperative monitoring and flap management protocol

There is extensive discussion regarding method of perineal defect closure extralevator abdominoperineal excision, but little consideration of optimal postoperative management of the flaps, or use of Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in flap reconstruction. Literature review revealed little discussion of optimum postoperative care of perineal flaps following extralevator abdominoperineal excision. We have developed a protocol for postoperative care of perineal flaps for use in conjunction with colorectal Enhanced Recovery After Surgery pathways, easily followed in units not specialising in plastic surgery. The protocol was developed using translatable evidence from guidelines for flap care from other subspecialties, as well as the experience of management of post-extralevator abdominoperineal excision perineal flaps in our trust, with the aim of enabling early detection of deterioration in this complex cohort, with a multidisciplinary enhanced recovery approach.

A Challenging Surgical and Reconstructive Approach to Locally Advanced Squamous Perineal Carcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review

Perineal carcinoma of unknown primary origin (CUP) is a rare entity and represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. These tumors may respond well to a combination of surgical resection, when feasible, local radiotherapy, and platinum-based systemic chemotherapy. A 67-year-old male patient consulted for urinary discomfort associated with perineal abscess. The perineal abscess was drained, and the patient was diagnosed with perineal carcinoma of unknown origin. Computed tomography (CT) scan shows a large perineal mass that involves both corpora cavernosa and corpus spongiosum. CT and bone scan excluded the metastatic spread of the disease. Inguinal lymph nodes were not identified. The surgical treatment consisted of two different phases. Phase I: the perineal mass exeresis with total penectomy. Phase II: perineal neourethrostomy with double oral mucosa graft. Coverage of the perineal defect and morphological reconstruction of the penis with fasciocutaneous and gracilis flap. The surgical intervention lasted for nine hours and the estimated blood loss was 500cc. The patient was discharged twelve days after the intervention. Later he received adjuvant treatment with immunotherapy (Cemiplimab) because was not subsidiary to treatment with platinum for renal failure. The patient died after nine months of follow-up due to pulmonary and abdominal metastatic spread.

PERINEAL REPAIR AFTER ABDOMINOPERINEAL EXCISION WITH RECTUS ABDOMINIS MYOCUTANEOUS FLAP

ABSTRACT Background: Abdominoperineal excision of the rectum (APR) remains the only potential curative treatment for very low rectal adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the anus. Yet, it implies a significant perineal exenteration and has set the attention on the perineal reconstruction. Aim: To present technique used in one case of APR for anal cancer, with resection of the vaginal posterior wall with large perineal defect which has called for the necessity of a flap for reconstruction Method: To cover the large perineal defect and reconstruct the posterior vaginal wall was perform a standardized and reproducible surgical technique using oblique rectus abdominis myocutaneous (ORAM) flap. The overlying skin of this flap is thick and well vascularized by both superficial branches and perforators of the superior epigastric artery and the deep inferior epigastric artery which serves as the vascular pedicle for the ORAM flap. Results: This procedure was applied in a 65-year-old woman with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the anus infiltrating the posterior wall of the vagina. Was performed an APR with en-bloc resection of the vaginal posterior wall in order to achieve tumor-free margins. Postoperative course was uneventful and she was discharged home at postoperative day 9. Final pathological report confirmed the oncological adequacy of the procedure (R0) and showed a rypT4N0 lesion. Conclusion: Flap reconstruction is an effective way to cover the perineal wound reducing both perineal complication rate and wound healing delay. The ORAM is particularly interesting for female whose tumors require resection and subsequent reconstruction of the posterior wall of the vagina.