Personalized Decisional Algorithms for Soft Tissue Defect Reconstruction after Abdominoperineal Resection for Low-Lying Rectal Cancers

TL;DR

This study presents personalized decision algorithms to help surgeons choose the best approach for reconstructing perineal defects after rectal cancer surgery.

Contribution

The paper introduces novel decisional algorithms tailored to specific patient and surgical factors for perineal defect reconstruction.

Findings

Direct wound closure was used in 239 cases with a 5.02% hernia rate.

Flap reconstruction was used in 6 cases with no hernias reported.

The algorithms showed reduced postoperative complications but need further validation.

Abstract

Background: Abdominoperineal resection (APR)—the standard surgical procedure for low-lying rectal cancer (LRC)—leads to significant perineal defects, posing considerable reconstruction challenges that, in selected cases, necessitate the use of plastic surgery techniques (flaps). Purpose: To develop valuable decision algorithms for choosing the appropriate surgical plan for the reconstruction of perineal defects. Methods: Our study included 245 LRC cases treated using APR. Guided by the few available publications in the field, we have designed several personalized decisional algorithms for managing perineal defects considering the following factors: preoperative radiotherapy, intraoperative position, surgical technique, perineal defect volume, and quality of tissues and perforators. The algorithms have been improved continuously during the entire period of our study based on the immediate and remote outcomes. Results: In 239 patients following APR, the direct closing procedure was performed versus 6 cases in which we used various types of flaps for perineal reconstruction. Perineal incisional hernia occurred in 12 patients (5.02%) with direct perineal wound closure versus in none of those reconstructed using flaps. Conclusion: The reduced rate of postoperative complications suggests the efficiency of the proposed decisional algorithms; however, more extended studies are required to categorize them as evidence-based management guide tools.

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