Use of a balloon catheter in management of the pelvic space following laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision

Abstract

Aim Management of the pelvic space following laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision remains controversial. We describe a simple technique for obliteration of the pelvic space after laparoscopic abdominoperineal excision. Method Pneumoperitoneum was re-established after completion of the operative procedure and a Foley catheter Ch. 24 was inserted through the right lower port under direct vision. The balloon of the catheter, placed in the presacral space, was filled with 50ml of sterile saline and connected to passive drainage. The catheter was removed 10days postoperatively. Results This technique was used in 15 patients with the median age of 74years (range 63-86). Eleven patients were treated with preoperative chemoradiotherapy. The median length of hospital stay was 9days (range 5-11). Two patients (13.3%) treated with chemoradiotherapy developed a superficial perineal wound infection and four patients (26.6%) had a deep pelvic abscess, which required surgical drainage. The median time of perineal wound healing was 3months (range 2-8). The median follow-up time was 36months (range18-60). None of the patients developed perineal hernia or intestinal obstruction in the follow-up period. One patient underwent small bowel resection due to stenosis caused by radiation enteritis. There was no local recurrence, but two patients developed distant metastases after 12months. Conclusion Our results suggest that filling the pelvic cavity with a balloon catheter for 10days results in the creation of a thin, fibrotic peritoneal layer which keeps the small intestine out of the pelvis and prevents loops of intestine adhering in the pelvic cavity. © 2012 The Authors. Colorectal Disease © 2012 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.