title: Extralevator abdominoperineal excision (Elape): A retrospective cohort study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Extralevator abdominoperineal excision (ELAPE) is relatively new surgical technique for low rectal cancers. It is a more radical approach than conventional abdominoperineal excision (APE) with potentially better oncological outcome. The aim of this study was to analyse short term results of ELAPE compared with conventional abdominoperineal excision.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected prospectively for 72 patients who underwent abdominoperineal excision (APE) for low rectal carcinomas from 2010 to 2014. Of these 24 patients underwent ELAPE with biological prosthetic mesh used to close the perineal defect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age of patients was 68 (37-87). Positive circumferential resection margin (1/24 vs. 8/48) and Intra operative perorations (0/24 vs. 6/48) compared favourably with ELAPE.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short term results from this study support that ELAPE has better oncological outcome.
authors: NHS, Department of Surgery, Hairmyres Hospital, NHS Trust, Eaglesham Road, G75 8RG, Glasgow, UK.
authors: Zulfiqar
authors: Z
authors: Hanif
authors: West of Scotland Surgical Association, UK.
authors: Alison
authors: A
authors: Bradley
authors: Hairmyres Hospital, NHS Trust, UK.
authors: Ahmed
authors: A
authors: Hammad
authors: Hairmyres Hospital, NHS Trust, UK.
authors: Arijit
authors: A
authors: Mukherjee
keywords: Abdominoperineal excision; ELAPE; Extralevator; Rectal cancer