Use of vacuum-assisted closure for healing of a persistent perineal sinus following panproctocolectomy: report of a case.

Perineal sinus is a troublesome complication after proctectomy for inflammatory bowel disease or rectal cancer. The results from treatment with simple dressings with or without surgical debridement are suboptimal. Definitive management may require complex operations with muscular or musculocutaneous flaps. Vacuum-assisted dressings have been used successfully for management of chronic wounds and soft tissue defects. This technique was successfully used in the management of a perineal sinus, which occurred after proctectomy for rectal cancer developing on a background of inflammatory bowel disease and preoperative radiotherapy.