Nonspecific host defenses in surgical cancer patients

Abstract

The role of operation for anorectal infections associated with perineal gangrene and cellulitis in children with myelosuppression from cancer chemotherapy is unclear. We evaluated anorectal/perineal infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 16 children with malignant diseases seen over 27 years. In 12 of 16 patients, leukemia was the underlying malignancy (ALL 10, AML 2), and in 13 of 16, severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count <500/mm3) was present at diagnosis. Cultures of the lesions showed multiple organisms in 14 of 16 patients with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species, and Enterococcus being the most frequent coexisting organisms. All positive blood cultures grew P aeruginosa exclusively. Of three patients with necrotizing infections, two had complete resolution with medical treatment alone; the other patient who developed this problem while on terminal care died. In none of the 16 patients was a major operation (debridement or diversion) performed. Five patients died, three of whom were considered terminally ill when the anorectal infections occurred. Four of the five deaths occurred before 1974. Since then, only 1 of 7 patients died. Excluding the three terminally ill patients, the success rate of medical therapy alone is 85% (1113). The antibiotic regimen should include an aminoglycoside in synergistic combination with anti-Pseudomonas penicillin. These results suggest that operative management may have no role in the management of anorectal infections caused by P aeruginosa in children with cancer.