Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for treating late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury.Methods:This was a descriptive case series study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) confirmed radiation-induced pelvic injury after radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies; (2) late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury, such as bleeding, perforation, fistula, and obstruction, involving multiple pelvic organs; (3) TPE recommended by a multidisciplinary team; (4) patient in good preoperative condition and considered fit enough to tolerate TPE; and (5) patient extremely willing to undergo the procedure and accept the associated risks. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of tumor recurrence or metastasis; (2) had only undergone diversion or bypass surgery after laparoscopic exploration; and (3) incomplete medical records. Clinical and follow-up data of patients who had undergone TPE for late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury between March 2020 and September 2022 at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were analyzed. Perioperative recovery, postoperative complications, perioperative deaths, and quality of life 1 year postoperatively were recorded.Results:The study cohort comprised 14 women, nine of whom had recto-vagino-vesical fistulas, two vesicovaginal fistulas, one ileo-vesical fistula and rectal necrosis, one ileo-vesical and rectovaginal fistulas, and one rectal ulcer and bilateral ureteral stenosis. The mean duration of surgery was 592.1±167.6 minutes and the median blood loss 550 (100–6000) mL. Ten patients underwent intestinal reconstruction, and four the Hartmann procedure. Ten patients underwent urinary reconstruction using Bricker's procedure and 7 underwent pelvic floor reconstruction. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 23.6±14.9 days. Seven patients (7/14) had serious postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo IIIa to IVb), including surgical site infections in eight, abdominopelvic abscesses in five, pulmonary infections in five, intestinal obstruction in four, and urinary leakage in two. Empty pelvis syndrome (EPS) was diagnosed in five patients, none of whom had undergone pelvic floor reconstruction. Five of the seven patients who had not undergone pelvic floor reconstruction developed EPS, compared with none of those who had undergone pelvic floor reconstruction. One patient with EPS underwent reoperation because of a pelvic abscess, pelvic hemorrhage, and intestinal obstruction. There were no perioperative deaths. During 18.9±10.1 months of follow-up, three patients died, two of renal failure, which was a preoperative comorbidity, and one of COVID-19. The remaining patients had gradual and significant relief of symptoms during follow-up. QLQ-C30 assessment of postoperative quality of life showed gradual improvement in all functional domains and general health at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (all P<0.05). Conclusions:TPE is a feasible procedure for treating late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury combined with complex pelvic fistulas. TPE is effective in alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life. However, the indications for this procedure should be strictly controlled and the surgery carried out only by experienced surgeons.

Objective:To investigate the safety and efficacy of total pelvic exenteration (TPE) for treating late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury.Methods:This was a descriptive case series study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) confirmed radiation-induced pelvic injury after radiotherapy for pelvic malignancies; (2) late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury, such as bleeding, perforation, fistula, and obstruction, involving multiple pelvic organs; (3) TPE recommended by a multidisciplinary team; (4) patient in good preoperative condition and considered fit enough to tolerate TPE; and (5) patient extremely willing to undergo the procedure and accept the associated risks. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of tumor recurrence or metastasis; (2) had only undergone diversion or bypass surgery after laparoscopic exploration; and (3) incomplete medical records. Clinical and follow-up data of patients who had undergone TPE for late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury between March 2020 and September 2022 at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University were analyzed. Perioperative recovery, postoperative complications, perioperative deaths, and quality of life 1 year postoperatively were recorded.Results:The study cohort comprised 14 women, nine of whom had recto-vagino-vesical fistulas, two vesicovaginal fistulas, one ileo-vesical fistula and rectal necrosis, one ileo-vesical and rectovaginal fistulas, and one rectal ulcer and bilateral ureteral stenosis. The mean duration of surgery was 592.1±167.6 minutes and the median blood loss 550 (100–6000) mL. Ten patients underwent intestinal reconstruction, and four the Hartmann procedure. Ten patients underwent urinary reconstruction using Bricker's procedure and 7 underwent pelvic floor reconstruction. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 23.6±14.9 days. Seven patients (7/14) had serious postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo IIIa to IVb), including surgical site infections in eight, abdominopelvic abscesses in five, pulmonary infections in five, intestinal obstruction in four, and urinary leakage in two. Empty pelvis syndrome (EPS) was diagnosed in five patients, none of whom had undergone pelvic floor reconstruction. Five of the seven patients who had not undergone pelvic floor reconstruction developed EPS, compared with none of those who had undergone pelvic floor reconstruction. One patient with EPS underwent reoperation because of a pelvic abscess, pelvic hemorrhage, and intestinal obstruction. There were no perioperative deaths. During 18.9±10.1 months of follow-up, three patients died, two of renal failure, which was a preoperative comorbidity, and one of COVID-19. The remaining patients had gradual and significant relief of symptoms during follow-up. QLQ-C30 assessment of postoperative quality of life showed gradual improvement in all functional domains and general health at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively (all P<0.05). Conclusions:TPE is a feasible procedure for treating late complications of radiation-induced pelvic injury combined with complex pelvic fistulas. TPE is effective in alleviating symptoms and improving quality of life. However, the indications for this procedure should be strictly controlled and the surgery carried out only by experienced surgeons.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis.Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinicopatholo-gical data of 49 patients who underwent redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis for the treatment of local recurrence of tumors and failure of colorectal or coloanal anastomosis after rectal resection in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November 2012 to December 2021 were collected. There were 32 males and 17 females, aged 57(range,31-87)years. Redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis was performed according to the patient′s situations. Observa-tion indicators: (1) surgical situations; (2) postoperative situations; (3) follow-up. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distri-bution were represented as M( Q1, Q3) or M(range). Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages. Results:(1) Surgical situations. All 49 patients underwent redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis successfully, with the interval between the initial surgery and the reopera-tion as 14.2(7.1,24.3)months. The operation time and volume of intraoperative bold loss of 49 patients in the redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis was 313(251,398)minutes and 125(50,400)mL, respectively. Of the 49 patients, there were 38 cases receiving laparoscopic surgery including 12 cases with transanoscopic laparoscopic assisted surgery, 11 cases receiving open surgery including 2 cases as conversion to open surgery, there were 20 cases undergoing Bacon surgery, 14 cases undergoing Dixon surgery, 12 cases undergoing Parks surgery, 2 cases undergoing intersphincter resection and 1 case undergoing Kraske surgery, there were 20 cases undergoing rectum dragging out excision and secondary colonic anastomosis, 13 cases undergoing dragging out excision single anastomosis, 12 cases undergoing rectum dragging out excision double anastomosis, 4 cases undergoing first-stage manual anastomosis, there were 21 cases with enterostomy before surgery, 16 cases with prophylactic enterostomy after surgery, 12 cases without prophylactic enterostomy after surgery. The duration of postoperative hospital stay of 49 patients was (14±7)days. (2) Postoperative situations. Fifteen of 49 patients underwent postoperative complications, including 8 cases with grade Ⅱ Clevien-Dindo complications and 7 cases with ≥grade Ⅲ Clevien-Dindo complications. None of 49 patient underwent postoperative transferring to intensive care unit and no patient died during hospitalization. Results of postoperative histopathological examination in 23 patients with tumor local recurrence showed negative incision margin of the surgical specimen. (3) Follow-up. All 49 patients underwent post-operative follow-up of 90 days. There were 42 cases undergoing redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis successfully and 7 cases failed. Of the 37 patients with enterostomy, 20 cases failed in closing fistula, and 17 cases succeed. There were 46 patients receiving follow-up with the median time as 16.1(7.5,34.6)months. The questionnaire response rate for low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score was 48.3%(14/29). Of the patients who underwent redo coloanal anastomosis and closure of stoma successfully, there were 9 cases with mild-to-moderate LARS.Conclusion:Redo rectal resection and coloanal anastomosis is safe and feasible for patients undergoing local recurr-ence of tumors and failure of colorectal or coloanal anastomosis after rectal resection, which can successfully restore intestinal continuity in patients and avoid permanent enterostomy.

The treatment of a case with necrotic fasciitis (NF) of abdominal wall occur secondary to mucocutaneous separation of loop ileostomy at the Department of Colorectal Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University was reported, in order to provide the lesson and reference to clinical practice.

The treatment of a case with necrotic fasciitis (NF) of abdominal wall occur secondary to mucocutaneous separation of loop ileostomy at the Department of Colorectal Surgery, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University was reported, in order to provide the lesson and reference to clinical practice.

Chronic radiation intestinal injury denotes the repeated and prolonged damage of intestine caused by radiotherapy to pelvic malignancy, which usually occurs after three months of radiotherapy. Surgical intervention is indicated when the progressive intestinal injury leads to the development of massive intestinal hemorrhage, obstruction, perforation, fistula and other late complications. However, there is no consensus on the surgical procedures. We illustrate the dilemma in surgical treatment from the points of pathological mechanism and the frequent sites of radiation intestinal injury. Meanwhile, we discuss the surgical alternatives of radiation intestinal injury based on the literature and our experience. The pathological mechanism of chronic radiation injury is progressive occlusive arteritis and parenchymal fibrosis. The frequently involved sites are distal ileum, sigmoid colon and rectum based on the radiotherapy region. The morbidity and mortality are high in surgery of chronic radiation injury due to poor ability of tissue healing, pelvic fibrosis, multiple organ damage, and poor physical condition. Definitive intestinal resection is one of the most common surgical procedures. Extended resection of diseased bowel to ensure that there is no radiation damage in at least one end of the anastomotic bowels is the key to decrease the risk of complications related to anastomotic sites.

Objective:To preliminarily evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy (CRP).Methods:A descriptive cohort study was carried out. The clinical and follow-up data of 19 patients who received laparoscopic Parks procedure due to CRP in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2013 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: (1) serious late complications occurred after pelvic radiotherapy, e.g.serious intractable hematochezia (hemoglobin <70 g/L), intractable anal pain (numerical rating scale >7), rectostenosis, perforation, and fistula. (2) imaging examinations including colonoscopy, pelvic MRI and/or chest, abdomen and pelvic CT were performed before surgery to confirm the lesions. Exclusion criteria: (1) preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of tumor recurrence; (2) only ostomy was performed after laparoscopic exploration; (3) after neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer; (4) incomplete medical records. Surgical procedures: (1) Laparoscopic exploration: tumor recurrence was excluded, and the range of radioactive damage in the intestine was determined. Marks were made on the proximal sigmoid colon without grossly obvious edema, thickening or radioactive injuries. (2) Abdominal operation: the right mesentery of sigmoid colon and rectum was opened, inferior mesenteric vein and inferior mesenteric artery were divided and the Toldt gap was expanded inwards and cephalad. The outside of left hemicolon was freed, the gastrocolic ligament was opened, the splenic flexure was fully mobilized, and the rectum was separated from the rear, side and front to the lowest point. Then perineal operation was performed. (3) Perineal operation: the whole layer of rectum wall was cut thoroughly at 1cm below the lesion's lower margin, the space around the rectum was fully separated, the rectum and sigmoid colon was pulled out through the anus and cut off at the site of the grossly normal intestine, the diseased bowel was removed and a coloanal anastomosis was made. (4) A protective stoma was performed. Conditions of operation, complication and symptom relief were summarized. A descriptive statistic method was used to analyze the results.Results:All the 19 patients were female with a median age of 53 (interquartiles, 50, 56) years old, of whom 18 patients had primary cervical cancer. Surgical indications: 9 cases were rectovaginal fistula; 9 cases were intractable anal pain, among whom 7 were complicated with deep rectal ulcer; and 1 case was intractable hematochezia with deep rectal ulcer. Eighteen cases completed laparoscopic Parks procedure, while 1 case was converted to laparotomy. The median operative time was 215 (131, 270) minutes, the median bleeding volume was 50 (50, 100) ml, and the median hospital stay was 12 (11, 20) days. There was no perioperative death. Ten cases had postoperative complications, including 3 cases of serious complications (CD grade IIIb and above) within 30 days after operation, of whom one case developed pelvic infection caused by rectovaginal, rectovesical and rectourethral fistula and acute renal failure (IVa); 2 cases developed orifice prolapse and parastomal hernia (IIIb). Seven cases had anastomosis-related complications, including 4 cases of grade A anastomotic leakage and 3 cases of anastomotic stenosis. Symptoms of CRP in the whole group were significantly relieved or disappeared after one year of the operation. Five cases achieved stoma closure.Conclusions:Laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy is safe and feasible, and can effectively improve symptoms. However, the incidence of anastomotic complications is high, so the surgical indications should be strictly controlled.

Chronic radiation intestinal injury denotes the repeated and prolonged damage of intestine caused by radiotherapy to pelvic malignancy, which usually occurs after three months of radiotherapy. Surgical intervention is indicated when the progressive intestinal injury leads to the development of massive intestinal hemorrhage, obstruction, perforation, fistula and other late complications. However, there is no consensus on the surgical procedures. We illustrate the dilemma in surgical treatment from the points of pathological mechanism and the frequent sites of radiation intestinal injury. Meanwhile, we discuss the surgical alternatives of radiation intestinal injury based on the literature and our experience. The pathological mechanism of chronic radiation injury is progressive occlusive arteritis and parenchymal fibrosis. The frequently involved sites are distal ileum, sigmoid colon and rectum based on the radiotherapy region. The morbidity and mortality are high in surgery of chronic radiation injury due to poor ability of tissue healing, pelvic fibrosis, multiple organ damage, and poor physical condition. Definitive intestinal resection is one of the most common surgical procedures. Extended resection of diseased bowel to ensure that there is no radiation damage in at least one end of the anastomotic bowels is the key to decrease the risk of complications related to anastomotic sites.

Objective:To preliminarily evaluate the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy (CRP).Methods:A descriptive cohort study was carried out. The clinical and follow-up data of 19 patients who received laparoscopic Parks procedure due to CRP in the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2013 to March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria: (1) serious late complications occurred after pelvic radiotherapy, e.g.serious intractable hematochezia (hemoglobin <70 g/L), intractable anal pain (numerical rating scale >7), rectostenosis, perforation, and fistula. (2) imaging examinations including colonoscopy, pelvic MRI and/or chest, abdomen and pelvic CT were performed before surgery to confirm the lesions. Exclusion criteria: (1) preoperative or intraoperative diagnosis of tumor recurrence; (2) only ostomy was performed after laparoscopic exploration; (3) after neoadjuvant radiotherapy for rectal cancer; (4) incomplete medical records. Surgical procedures: (1) Laparoscopic exploration: tumor recurrence was excluded, and the range of radioactive damage in the intestine was determined. Marks were made on the proximal sigmoid colon without grossly obvious edema, thickening or radioactive injuries. (2) Abdominal operation: the right mesentery of sigmoid colon and rectum was opened, inferior mesenteric vein and inferior mesenteric artery were divided and the Toldt gap was expanded inwards and cephalad. The outside of left hemicolon was freed, the gastrocolic ligament was opened, the splenic flexure was fully mobilized, and the rectum was separated from the rear, side and front to the lowest point. Then perineal operation was performed. (3) Perineal operation: the whole layer of rectum wall was cut thoroughly at 1cm below the lesion's lower margin, the space around the rectum was fully separated, the rectum and sigmoid colon was pulled out through the anus and cut off at the site of the grossly normal intestine, the diseased bowel was removed and a coloanal anastomosis was made. (4) A protective stoma was performed. Conditions of operation, complication and symptom relief were summarized. A descriptive statistic method was used to analyze the results.Results:All the 19 patients were female with a median age of 53 (interquartiles, 50, 56) years old, of whom 18 patients had primary cervical cancer. Surgical indications: 9 cases were rectovaginal fistula; 9 cases were intractable anal pain, among whom 7 were complicated with deep rectal ulcer; and 1 case was intractable hematochezia with deep rectal ulcer. Eighteen cases completed laparoscopic Parks procedure, while 1 case was converted to laparotomy. The median operative time was 215 (131, 270) minutes, the median bleeding volume was 50 (50, 100) ml, and the median hospital stay was 12 (11, 20) days. There was no perioperative death. Ten cases had postoperative complications, including 3 cases of serious complications (CD grade IIIb and above) within 30 days after operation, of whom one case developed pelvic infection caused by rectovaginal, rectovesical and rectourethral fistula and acute renal failure (IVa); 2 cases developed orifice prolapse and parastomal hernia (IIIb). Seven cases had anastomosis-related complications, including 4 cases of grade A anastomotic leakage and 3 cases of anastomotic stenosis. Symptoms of CRP in the whole group were significantly relieved or disappeared after one year of the operation. Five cases achieved stoma closure.Conclusions:Laparoscopic Parks procedure for chronic radiation proctopathy is safe and feasible, and can effectively improve symptoms. However, the incidence of anastomotic complications is high, so the surgical indications should be strictly controlled.

Because of chemoradiotherapy for malignancy, malnutrition and other factors, chronic radiation enteritis can be complicated with cytomegalovirus infection which is difficult to distinguish from the recurrence and metastasis of intestinal tumor by clinical symptoms and imaging. A case of chronic radiation enteritis with cytomegalovirus infection misdiagnosed as the recurrence and metastasis of rectal cancer at Department of Colorectal Surgery in The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University is reported.