Risk factor analysis for perineal incision complications after abdominoperineal resection in elderly patients with rectal cancer

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the risk factors of perineal incision complications after abdominal abdominoperineal resection (APR) in elderly patients with rectal cancer. Methods: From January 2007 to September 2018, the clinical data of 72 elderly rectal cancer patients (age≥80 years) underwent abdominoperineal resection at Department of Colorectal Surgery, Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College were collected and retrospectively analyzed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the risk factors of perineal incision complications in elderly patients with rectal cancer after APR. Results: Of the 76 patients, 47 were male and 25 were female, with an average age of (81.8±1.8) years. The incidence of postoperative perineal incision complications was 23.6% (17/72), including 5 cases of wound infection, 4 cases of incision fat liquefaction, and 8 cases of delayed wound healing. All of the patients were well recovered and discharged without death. The result of univariate analysis showed that, the occurrence of perineal incision complications was associated with serum albumin level < 35g/L (χ(2)=4.860, P=0.027), intraperitoneal chemotherapy with fluorouracil sustained release/lobaplatin rinse (χ(2)=8.827, P=0.003), pelvic restoration (χ(2)=9.062, P=0.003), diabetes (χ(2)=6.387, P=0.011) and coronary heart disease (χ(2)=7.688, P=0.006). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the intraoperative pelvic restoration (OR=0.17, 95% CI: 0.04~0.82, P=0.027) and diabetes (OR=4.32, 95% CI: 1.05~17.81, P=0.043) were independent risk factors for perineal incision complications. Conclusions: Elderly patients with rectal cancer who undergo APR should preserve and restore the pelvic peritoneum as much as possible. Moreover, perioperative blood glucose monitoring is a powerful guarantee for preventing complications of perineal incision.