Abdominoperineal resection in anal cancer: Reconstruction of the perineum with a myocutaneous flap from the anterior rectus abdominis muscle

Abstract

IntroductionAbdominoperineal resection after radiotherapy has a high rate of perineal wound complications. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the results of perineal reconstruction with a rectus abdominis muscle myocutaneous flap in patients with recurrent or persistent anal cancer. Patients and methodBetween 2006 and 2010, six male HIV+ patients were treated after initial treatment failure with chemotherapy. An anterior rectal myocutaneous flap was performed after abdominal-perineal excision. ResultsThe mean age was 36.3 years (range: 30-42). Primary healing of the perineal wound was achieved in the first thirty days. There were no major complications in the immediate post-surgical period or after a mean follow up of 26.5 months. There were 2 (33.3%) minor complications associated with the perineal wound. There were no complications of the abdominal wall. ConclusionThe use of an anterior rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in patients with recurrent or persistent anal cancer is associated with a low rate of perineal complications.