Predictable Closure of the Abdominoperineal Resection Defect: A Novel Two-Team Approach

BACKGROUND: Primary closure of the perineum at the time of abdominoperineal resection (APR) is seldom successful. Several factors are known to adversely affect healing, including neoadjuvant chemoradiation, tension, contamination, and fluid collection. This study evaluates a 2-team approach for resection and routine perineal closure in a single stage. STUDY DESIGN: After tumor resection, the abdominal and perineal closures are performed simultaneously by 2 separate teams. A competent closure of the perineal defect is achieved with bilateral V-to-Y inferior gluteal artery perforator fasciocutaneous flaps (BIGAP) mobilizing buttock skin, fat, and gluteal muscle fascia for inset into the defect. No muscle is elevated with the flaps and no attempt is made to obliterate the deepest aspects of the pelvic defect. RESULTS: Beginning in August 2010, 18 consecutive patients who underwent APR for distal rectal (n = 14) and anal carcinoma (n = 4) were included in the study. All patients had received neoadjuvant chemoradiation therapy. Primary healing was achieved in 16 of 18 patients with a completely tension-free closure. One patient required debridement and secondary closure. Another patient had an unresectable tumor, which invaded the flap closure. Minor healing problems were seen in 7 patients. CONCLUSIONS: BIGAP flaps provide sufficient tissue to predictably provide primary closure of the perineal defect. Perineal wound healing morbidity is dramatically reduced compared with primary simple closure of this defect. Early results indicate that this method of perineal closure offers a straightforward and predictable method that is comparable in efficacy to other methods using pedicled flaps for perineal closure. (J Am Coll Surg 2012;214:726-733. (C) 2012 by the American College of Surgeons)