Perineal Wound Closure Using Biological Mesh Following Extralevator Abdominoperineal Excision

This study aimed to describe the short-term perineal healing rates in patients with perineal reconstruction using a biological mesh following extralevator abdominoperineal excision (elAPE).

In a retrospective, descriptive single-centre cohort study, 88 consecutive patients treated with elAPE and perineal closure using a biological mesh between January 2011 and December 2015 were reviewed. All available data from electronic hospital records was collected. Patients were followed for 1 year following surgery and perineal wound status assessed at 3 months and at 1 year.

In total, 63 patients were male and all but 8 patients were treated for primary rectal cancer. All patients but 3 had received radiotherapy prior to surgery. Multivisceral excisions were performed in 19 patients. Omentoplasty was performed in 55 patients and 3 different types of meshes were used during the study period. At 3 months, 58 patients (66%) had a healed perineum. No association was detected between patient, tumour or perioperative characteristics and perineal wound status at 3 months. At 1 year, 4 patients were deceased and among the remaining 84, the perineal wound was healed in 77 patients (92%).

The use of biological meshes in perineal reconstruction following elAPE is feasible and safe, and the perineal wound is healed in the majority of the patients within 3 months.