Entero-anal fistula: A rare complication after abdomino perineal resection and radiotherapy—Case report

Abstract

Abdominoperineal resection (APR) is the surgery most commonly performed for cancers involving lower third of the rectum. It is an extensive resection surgery resulting in the disturbed anatomy of pelvic fossa. With the introduction of chemo radiotherapy, the control rate and survival figures have gone up with the associated increase in the treatment related toxicities. We present an extremely unusual complication of entero-anal fistula following APR and radiation therapy in a 40-year-old male with rectal carcinoma. The present report describes the possible cause for the development of this rare event along with highlighting some of the important issues that needs to be considered under such conditions.