Offene Rektumchirurgie

A hundred patients with vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap for pelvic reconstruction after total pelvic exenteration

PURPOSE

We analysed the outcomes of a series of 100 consecutive patients with anorectal cancer with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy and abdominoperineal exstirpation or total pelvic exenteration, who received a transpelvic vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap for pelvic, vaginal and/or perineal reconstruction and compare a cohort to patients without VRAM flaps.

METHODS

Within a 10-year period (2003-2013) in our institution 924 patients with rectal cancer stage y0 to y IV were surgically treated. Data of those 100 consecutive patients who received a transpelvic VRAM flap were collected and compared to patients without flaps.

RESULTS

In 100 consecutive patients with transpelvic VRAM flaps, major donor site complications occurred in 6 %, VRAM-specific perineal wound complications were observed in 11 % of the patients and overall 30-day mortality was 2 %.

CONCLUSIONS

The VRAM flap is a reliable and safe method for pelvic reconstruction in patients with advanced disease requiring pelvic exenteration and irradiation, with a relatively low rate of donor and recipient site complications. In this first study, to compare a large number of patients with VRAM flap reconstruction to patients without pelvic VRAM flap reconstruction, a clear advantage of simultaneous pelvic reconstruction is demonstrated.

[Pathological work-up of rectal cancer following partial/total mesorectal excision]

Total mesorectal excision (TME) refers to the anatomically accurate surgical resection of the rectum from its surrounding fascias and has become the gold standard for treating rectal cancer. The pathologist plays a key role in the assessment of these specimens and good pathological reporting of rectal cancer is essential to achieving the optimum possible results for patients with rectal cancer. In experienced hands, these techniques result in a dramatic improvement in cancer-related cure rates from 45% to 75% and a reduction in pelvic recurrences from 40% to 5%-10%. Moreover, preservation of sexual and urinary functions is possible in the majority of cases. This article reviews the pathological assessment of the TME specimen in detail with regards to current international guidelines and describes its anatomical background. In addition, particular issues relating to margins, lymph node dissection and effects of neoadjuvant therapy are discussed.

[Lymphadenectomy with tumors of the lower gastrointestinal tract]

For advanced adenocarcinomas, which are the most frequent tumours of the lower GI tract, the concept of radical lymphnode dissection is well accepted. The quality of lymphadenectomy for these malignancies has a strong effect on cancer-related survival. Based upon a strict quality control program with outcome evaluated according to internal results, the technique and extent of lymph node dissection have been continuously developed over the last three decades. These are described in detail, including instructive pictures to clarify the surgical steps needed. Apart from multivisceral resection in far advanced cases, which still have a chance of cure if adequate guidelines are followed, two additional steps in the so-called radical surgical treatment of these tumours are prerequisites for cure. The first is complete mobilisation of the intestine involving complete mesocolic excision with complete retention of the visceral fascia and covering potential lymph node metastases and extranodal spread on the intestinal side. The second step is the central tying of the tumor's supplying vessels. Following these rules and with no adjuvant systemic treatment, 5-year survival figures of 80% can be reached, even for UICC stage III disease.