Management of the perineal wound after rectal excision for ulcerative colitis

A retrospective review was conducted of 326 patients undergoing intersphincteric rectal excision for ulcerative colitis. Seventy-five patients (Group A) had rectal excision with closure of the pelvic peritoneum and packing of the pelvic space via an open perineal wound. One hundred sixty-nine patients (Group B) had excision without pelvic peritoneal closure, but with the levators and subcutaneous tissue closed and with transabdominal sump suction drainage of the pelvic space. Complete healing for Groups A and B occurred by three months in 42 and 79 percent, respectively, and by six months in 56 and 89 percent. Thirty-one percent of Group A and 9 percent of Group B were unhealed at one year, and/or required further surgery. When all 326 patients were considered, healing was achieved at three, six, and 12 months, for packed and for closed wounds, in 42 percent and 79 percent, 55 percent and 89 percent, 66 percent and 91 percent, respectively. All these differences are highly significant (P less than 0.0001). The incidence of small-bowel obstruction requiring surgery during follow-up was similar whether the pelvic peritoneum was closed (15.5 percent) or left open (15.7 percent). Other factors which adversely affected perineal wound healing were younger age, a short history of disease, a two-stage proctocolectomy especially for persistent severe rectal disease, and the presence of perianal disease.