Perineal colostomy following abdomino-perineal resection for rectal cancer-A case report

Abstract

The management of ultralow rectal cancers within 2 cm from the dentate line is still challenging. Abdominoperineal resection (APR) is the gold standard in the treatment of ultralow rectal cancers. Conventional APR involves the construction of a left iliac fossa (LIF) end colostomy. The taboo associated with a permanent abdominal colostomy results in a poor self-esteem and a poor quality of life. Pseudocontinent perineal colostomy (PCPC) is an alternative reconstruction technique following APR in which the colostomy is placed in the perineum and a graft of smooth colonic muscle tightly surrounds the lowered colon. We present the case of a young unmarried gentleman who underwent an APR and living with a left iliac fossa colostomy who underwent this procedure. The case is of interest since a similar case report could not be found from India and also since the PCPC in our case is done as a secondary procedure.