Perineal Wound Healing After Abdominoperineal Resection for Rectal Cancer: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Impaired perineal wound healing has become a significant clinical problem after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer. The increased use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy and wider excisions might have contributed to this problem.

Objective: The primary aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to determine the impact of radiotherapy and an extralevator approach on perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer.

Data Sources: In March 2014, electronic databases were searched.

Study Selection And Interventions: Studies describing any outcome measure on perineal wound healing after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer were included.

Main Outcome Measures: The primary end point was overall perineal wound problems within 30 days after conventional or extralevator abdominoperineal resection with or without neoadjuvant radiotherapy. Secondary end points were primary wound healing, perineal hernia rate, and the effect of biological mesh closure on perineal wound problems.

Results: A total of 32 studies were included. The pooled percentage of perineal wound problems after primary perineal wound closure in patients who did not undergo neoadjuvant radiotherapy was 15.3% (95% CI, 12.1-19.2) after conventional abdominoperineal resection and 14.8% (95% CI, 9.5-22.4) after extralevator abdominoperineal resection. After neoadjuvant radiotherapy, perineal wound problems occurred in 30.2% (95% CI, 19.2-44.0) after conventional abdominoperineal resection and in 37.6% (95% CI, 18.6-61.4) after extralevator abdominoperineal resection. Radiotherapy significantly increased perineal wound problems after abdominoperineal resection (OR, 2.22; 95% CI, 1.45-3.40; p < 0.001). After biological mesh closure of the pelvic floor following extralevator abdominoperineal resection with neoadjuvant radiotherapy, the percentage of perineal wound problems was 7.3% (95% CI, 1.5-29.3).

Limitations: Heterogeneity was high for some analyses.

Conclusion: Neoadjuvant radiotherapy significantly increases perineal wound problems after abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer, whereas the extralevator approach seems not to be of significant importance.