Colorectal anastomosis on a gynecologic oncology service.
This is an evaluation of our experience with colorectal reanastomosis on a gynecologic oncology service. A retrospective review was carried out on all patients who underwent colorectal resection and reanastomosis on the gynecologic oncology service from October 1, 1987 to September 30, 1992. Thirty-nine procedures were performed: Nine patients underwent sigmoidectomy alone, 20 also underwent cytoreduction, and 10 also underwent exenteration. Thirty-eight percent of the patients had undergone prior radiotherapy. The level of anastomosis above the anal verge was 3-5 cm in 9 patients, 6-9 cm in 20 patients, and 10-14 cm in 10 patients. Sixteen had a protective colostomy which included 13 of the 15 patients with prior radiotherapy. Thirteen of the protective colostomies were taken down, although three of these required a second permanent colostomy. Three other patients required colostomy at a later date, one of whom developed a rectovaginal fistula 10 days following exenteration for postradiation recurrent carcinoma of the cervix. A total of 30 of the 37 evaluable patients (81%) had an ultimately functional colorectal reanastomosis. Problems related to colorectal function included stricture (4), fistula (4), chronic diarrhea (3), tenesmus (1), and fecal incontinence (1). Colorectal anastomosis is a worthwhile endeavor in selected patients with gynecologic cancer.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida, Tampa 33606.
M S
MS
Hoffman
C M
CM
Lynch
N C
NC
Gleeson
J V
JV
Fiorica
W S
WS
Roberts
D
D
Cavanagh
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D003106:Colon / Q000601:surgery*; D003125:Colostomy; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007431:Intraoperative Complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies