Pseudocontinent perineal colostomy following abdominoperineal resection: technique and findings in 49 patients

Abstract

Aim: This prospective study was designed to evaluate functional results following the creation of a pseudocontinent perineal colostomy (PCPC) using Schmidt's technique. Methods: Functional results in 40 patients whose rectum was resected due to cancer and reconstructed by PCPC between 1989 and 1995 in our institution were evaluated. Anatomical and pathological features of cancers, surgical technique and post-operative care are described. Morbidity, functional results and degree of patient satisfaction are reported. Median follow-up was 45 months (18–87 months) and was completed in 100% of patients. Results: There were no operative deaths. Twenty patients had post-operative complications and two patients had an early conversion to a definitive abdominal colostomy due to serious perineal complications. On a functional level, four patients had normal continence, 23 had gas incontinence, nine had occasional minimal soiling and two had incontinence requiring iliac colostomy. Eighty-six per cent of patients were either highly satisfied or satisfied with their continence.Discussion: PCPC is a reliable technique that can be suggested as an alternative to a left iliac colostomy following amputation of the rectum due to cancer, provided that certain requirements are met: careful selection of patients, informed consent, flawless surgical technique and lifetime daily colic irrigation.