Anorectal disease in neutropenic leukemic patients. Operative vs. nonoperative management

This study was designed to evaluate the spectrum, clinical presentation, management, and outcome of anorectal disease in neutropenic leukemic patients and to compare operative and nonoperative management in neutropenic leukemic patients.

A retrospective review of hospital records was performed.

One hundred fifty-one of 2,618 (5.8 percent) patients hospitalized with leukemia had concomitant symptomatic anorectal disease. Data from 81 patients were available for analysis. Fifty-two (64 percent) were treated nonoperatively and 29 (36 percent) underwent operative treatment. Fifty-seven (70.4 percent) had absolute neutrophil counts < 1,000/mm3, and 54 (66.7 percent) were severely neutropenic (absolute neutrophil count < 500/mm3). Management and outcomes of 54 severely neutropenic patients were analyzed. In 20 patients who underwent surgery there were 4 deaths (20 percent) and 4 recurrences (20 percent), whereas in 34 patients managed nonoperatively there were 6 deaths (18 percent) and 4 recurrences (12 percent) (P > 0.05).

Symptomatic anorectal disease afflicted 5.8 percent of hospitalized leukemic patients. In these patients, anorectal sepsis was a major source of mortality. Our data suggest that anorectal abscesses in neutropenic leukemic patients may be safely drained. Because we did not observe excessive morbidity or mortality (20 percent vs. 18 percent) in the operated neutropenic leukemics as compared with the nonoperated patients, selected neutropenic leukemic patients should not be denied anorectal surgery when otherwise indicated.