Total pelvic exenteration for locally advanced colorectal carcinoma--postoperative complications

This study was designed to clarify the postoperative major complications of total pelvic exenteration for locally advanced colorectal cancer. Twenty-six patients (primary disease: 17, recurrent disease: 9) were retrospectively studied. Major complications developed in 30.8% (8 of 26); in 23.5% (4 of 17) for a primary disease and in 44.4% (4 of 9) for a recurrent disease. Only 2 patients (7.7%) died within 30 days after the operation; one patient died of hepatic failure and another of pelvic sepsis. Postoperative ileus developed at a high rate of 11.5% (3 of 26). Ileo-ileal anastomotic leakage developed at a rate of 7.7% (2 of 26) and it commonly occurred following irradiation. The remaining one patient had gastrointestinal bleeding. These 6 patients surviving the operation were successfully managed conservatively. Conclusion was as follows: Total pelvic exenteration should be performed carefully and aggressively regardless of the development of postoperative complications.