Value of pelvic suction-irrigation in reducing morbidity of low anterior resection of the rectum--a ten-year experience.

Resection of the rectosigmoid colon with anastomosis below the peritoneal reflection carries appreciable mortality and morbidity rates particularly because of leakage and resulting sepsis, Protecting the anastomosis with a transverse colostomy does not prevent this complication although it does reduce the catastrophic sequelae that often occur. Anastomotic leakage rates have been reported to be as high as 69% and fecal fistula rates as high as 27% following this type of surgery. A pelvic. A pelvic hematoma may act as a culture medium should sepsis occur and may interfere with anastomotic healing. A method of removing accumulated blood and serum from the pelvis following low anterior resection has been employed with the aim of reducing anastomotic leakage, and a 10-year experience has been compiled. Sixty consecutive patients were studied from July 1970 to June 1980. All underwent barium enema examination and/or proctosigmoidoscopy following low anterior resection with concomitant or previous transverse colostomy. There were four subclinical leaks seen at 6 weeks for an incidence of 6.8%. All resolved spontaneously within 6 additional weeks. No fecal fistulas or pelvic abscesses were encountered. Contaminated blood and serum are significant contributing factors to low anterior anastomotic breakdown. By removing such material before it can become infected, this complication can be significantly reduced.