Improved perineal wound healing with the omental pedicle graft after rectal excision

The aim of this study was to determine whether significant improvement in perineal wound healing could be achieved by placing parts of greater omentum into the sacral cavity after rectal excision. 74 patients were evaluated, in 38, parts of the greater omentum were mobilised into the presacral cavity. The omentum flap increased primary healing from 41% to 61%. Sinus formation was reduced. Since using routine omentoplasty all wounds have healed by five months. Complications occurred only twice. In one patient the omentum became partially necrotic, while in another small bowel obstruction occurred due to herniation beneath the root of the flap. We conclude from our results that omentoplasty after rectal excision is a useful method to improve perineal wound healing and should be performed as routine procedure.