The Electrically Stimulated Gracilis Neosphincter Incorporated as Part of Total Anorectal Reconstruction after Abdominoperineal Excision of the Rectum

Abstract

The authors investigated the feasibility and effectiveness of combining electrically stimulated gracilis neoanal (ESGN) sphincter and a coloperineal anastomosis in selected patients after abdominoperineal excision of the rectum (APER). The ESGN is effective in the treatment of idiopathic fecal incontinence. Between March 1989 and September 1993, 12 patients (9 men, 3 women) with a median age of 59.25 years (range, 45-70) underwent the procedure. The underlying disease was adenocarcinoma in 10, anal malignant melanoma in 1, and a sweat gland tumor in the other. In all patients, a sphincter saving resection was contraindicated. The procedure was performed in stages. Stage 1 involved a conventional APER with the formation of a perineal stoma. Eleven patients underwent a vascular delay procedure. All patients were defunctioned. In stage 2, the gracilis was mobilized, transposed around the anal canal, and the electrodes and hardware needed for electrical stimulation were implanted. Once muscle conversion was complete, the defunctioning stoma was closed. Eight patients were closed successfully. In seven of the eight patients, complete physiologic measurements were taken. Median basal and maximum neosphincter pressures were 30 and 122 cm H2O, respectively, at the start of electrical stimulation and 22.5 and 76.2 cm H2O, respectively, after 1 year. Median functioning neosphincter pressure was 36 cm H2O at 1 year. All of the patients whose stomas were closed experienced episodes of incontinence to solid stool and wore pads for persistent fecal soiling. They all reported difficulty in evacuation. Despite imperfect continence, no patient wished to go back to life with a stoma. The incorporation of ESGN as part of total anorectal reconstruction is technically feasible. The majority of patients are satisfied with their function and pleased to avoid a permanent stoma.