Outcomes of urinary diversion after surgery for locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer with complete cystectomy; ileal and colon conduit

Urological complications following pelvic exenteration are comparable to those following radical cystectomy

INTRODUCTION

Radical cystectomy and urinary diversion is required for both primary muscle-invasive bladder cancer and in the setting of pelvic exenteration for advanced malignancy of pelvic organs. Acute and chronic complications following radical cystectomy can be a significant cause of morbidity. We compared the rates of urological complications following these two procedures at our tertiary referral centre.

METHODS

Patients who underwent radical cystectomy and urinary diversion either alone or as part of pelvic exenteration between June 2017 and April 2024 at our hospital were included. Short and long-term post-operative urological complications were collected, and data for patients who underwent PE were collected prospectively as part of a larger database.

RESULTS

One hundred eleven patients underwent cystectomy: 44 as part of pelvic exenteration (PE), 67 cystectomy alone. Post-operative urological complications occurred in 45% of patients undergoing PE and 42% undergoing cystectomy alone (P = 0.703). Urosepsis was the most frequent complication in both cohorts, occurring in 27% and 24% of patients who underwent PE and cystectomy alone respectively. Return to theatre was required in 9% of PE patients and 7% of non-PE patients. ASA status was predictive of complication development in the non-PE cohort, no factors analysed were predictive in the PE cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

In this cohort, the rate of urological complications and return to the theatre following radical cystectomy and urinary diversion were comparable among those undergoing PE and cystectomy alone. No individual factor was identified that was predictive of post-operative complications.

A systematic review of oncosurgical and quality of life outcomes following pelvic exenteration for locally advanced and recurrent rectal cancer

INTRODUCTION

Pelvic exenteration (PE) is now the standard of care for locally advanced (LARC) and locally recurrent (LRRC) rectal cancer. Reports of the significant short-term morbidity and survival advantage conferred by R0 resection are well established. However, longer-term outcomes are rarely addressed. This systematic review focuses on long-term oncosurgical and quality of life (QoL) outcomes following PE for rectal cancer.

METHODS

A systematic review of the PubMed®, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE® and Embase® databases was conducted, in accordance with the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Studies were included if they reported long-term outcomes following PE for LARC or LRRC. Studies with fewer than 20 patients were excluded.

FINDINGS

A total of 25 papers reported outcomes for 5,489 patients. Of these, 4,744 underwent PE for LARC (57.5%) or LRRC (42.5%). R0 resection rates ranged from 23.2% to 98.4% and from 14.9% to 77.8% respectively. The overall morbidity rates were 17.8-87.0%. The median survival ranged from 12.5 to 140.0 months. None of these studies reported functional outcomes and only four studies reported QoL outcomes. Numerous different metrics and timepoints were utilised, with QoL scores frequently returning to baseline by 12 months.

CONCLUSIONS

This review demonstrates that PE is safe, with a good prospect of R0 resection and acceptable mortality rates in selected patients. Morbidity rates remain high, highlighting the importance of shared decision making with patients. Longer-term oncological outcomes as well as QoL and functional outcomes need to be addressed in future studies. Development of a core outcomes set would facilitate better reporting in this complex and challenging patient group.

Urological Outcomes and Adverse Events Following Total Pelvic Exenteration for Locally Advanced and Recurrent Rectal Cancer: A Single-center Retrospective Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess urological complications in patients undergoing total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for locally advanced (LARC) and recurrent rectal cancer (RRC) as publications in this area are limited. Secondary objectives were to assess whether LARC vs RRC or radiation status affected urological outcomes.

METHODS

Single-center, retrospective study of TPE patients between January 2017 and December 2022. Electronic records were evaluated to extract data. Postoperative outcomes were analyzed using two-tailed t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests and chi-squared tests. Urological complications were analyzed using simple logistic regression.

RESULTS

A total of 128 patients underwent TPE (97 LARC, 31 RRC). 90 (70.3%) received neoadjuvant radiotherapy. The overall urological complication rate was 51.6%. Transient acute kidney injury and urinary tract infection were the two most common complications occurring in 38 (29.7%) and 33 (25.8%) respectively. 23 (18.0%) had at least one major complication of Clavien-Dindo III/IV related to the urinary system. Ureteroenteric stricture rate was 7.0% and 14.1% needed a reoperation for urological complications. There was no association between the overall incidence of urological complications and radiation status (OR 0.81 [0.37-1.73], P=.586) or between patients with LARC and RRC (OR 1.68 [0.75-3.93], P=.216).

CONCLUSION

Urological complications are common post-TPE. The urological complication rate is similar in LARC and RRC and radiation status did not affect outcomes in this cohort.

Urinary reconstruction following total pelvic exenteration for locally advanced rectal cancer: complications and factors affecting outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for rectal cancers is associated with significant morbidity. We evaluated the complications related to urinary reconstruction following TPE and factors predicting urologic morbidity.

METHODS

Retrospective analysis of TPE patients with incontinent urinary diversions between August 2013 and January 2020.

RESULTS

One hundred TPE were performed with 96 ileal conduits (IC). Early complications occurred in 10 patients that included uretero-ileal leaks (5%), conduit-related complications (3%), and acute pyelonephritis (3%). Late complications were seen in 26% of patients with uretero-intestinal strictures in 11%. Mortality attributable to urinary complications was seen in 2%. No single factor, including prior radiation, recurrent disease, type of anastomosis, or blood loss, predicted development of urinary morbidity.

CONCLUSION

Conduit urinary diversion following TPE is associated with high urinary morbidity rate but low mortality. It can be safely performed even after previous surgeries and radiation by a dedicated colorectal team.

Total Pelvic Exenteration for Locally Advanced and Recurrent Rectal Cancer: Urological Outcomes and Adverse Events

BACKGROUND

Little has been reported on urological complications of total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for locally advanced or recurrent rectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE

To assess urological reconstructive outcomes and adverse events in this setting.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

A total of 104 patients underwent TPE from 2004 to 2016 in this single-centre, retrospective study. Electronic and paper records were evaluated for data extraction. Mean follow-up was 36.5 mo.

INTERVENTION

TPE.

OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Urological complications were analysed using two-tailed t and chi-square tests, binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS

Sixty-three (61%) patients received radiotherapy prior to TPE. Incontinent diversions included ileal conduit (n = 95), colonic conduits (n = 4), wet colostomy (n = 1), and cutaneous ureterostomy (n = 1). Three patients had a continent diversion. The overall urological complication rate was 54%. According to Clavien-Dindo classification, 30 patients, five patients, and one patient had grade III, IV, and V complications, respectively. The commonest complication was urinary tract infection (in 32 [31%] patients). Anastomotic leaks were seen in 14 (13%) cases, of which eight (8%) were urinary leaks. Fistulas were seen in three (3%) patients, involving the urinary system. A return to theatre was required in 12 (12%) patients. Ureteroenteric strictures were seen in seven (7%). No differences were seen in urological outcomes in patients with primary or recurrent rectal cancer (p = 0.69), or by radiation status (p = 0.24). The main limitation is the retrospective nature of the study.

CONCLUSIONS

TPE is complex with recognised high risk of morbidity. In this cohort, there was no significant difference in outcomes between primary and recurrent disease, and surgery after radiation.

PATIENT SUMMARY

In this study, we assessed urological complications following total pelvic exenteration. Urinary complications affected more than half of patients. Urinary tract infection is the commonest risk. Approximately one-third of patients required surgical, radiological, or endoscopic intervention ± intensive care admission. Radiation prior to the operation did not affect urinary complications.