An alternative method of draining the pelvis after excision of the rectum and anterior resections

An alternative method of draining the extraperitoneal pelvis using a constant suction and irrigation drain in the retrorectal space was used in 16 patients undergoing excisional or restorative rectal operation for either inflammatory intestine disease or carcinoma. A transient fecal fluid leak from the drain site developed in one patient. The other patients showed no clinical evidence of anastomotic leakage or infective operative complication. We believe that continuous low pressure suction drainage and irrigation of the retrorectal space is important in the healing of excision and restorative operations of the rectum.