En Bloc Sacrectomy for Retrorectal Tumor: Factors Influencing Immediate Outcome

Authors

  • Teerachai Yongchaitrakul Department of Surgery, Lerdsin Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand
  • Piya Kiatisevi Department of Orthopedics, Lerdsin Hospital, Ministry of Public Health, Bangkok, Thailand

Keywords:

pelvic surgery, presacral tumor, retrorectal tumor, sacrectomy

Abstract

Background: En bloc sacrectomy is the only chance for cure of retrorectal tumor. Total sacrectomy is a
complicated, time-consuming and collaborative operation with multiple potential postoperative morbidities and mortality.
Well-planned surgery, perioperative care and rehabilitation would be beneficial in surgical outcomes and decrease
postoperative complications.
Objective: To define the factors affecting the immediate outcomes of en bloc sacrectomy in patients with
retrorectal tumor.
Study design: A retrospective cohort at a single academic institute.
Methods: Data were collected retrospectively in all patients who underwent en bloc sacrectomy at the Lerdsin
Hospital between June 2008 and August 2013. We reviewed demographic data, clinical findings, past medical history,
tumor characteristics, tumor invasion, preoperative preparation: iliac artery embolization, ureteric stenting, surgical
procedures, intraoperative complication, estimated blood loss, units of blood transfusion, histopathologic findings,
postoperative morbidities and mortality, functional outcomes: constipation, urinary retention and gait disturbance.
Immediate surgical outcome was defined according to the postoperative complications, hospital length of stay, functional
outcomes and gait disturbance. All parameters were analyzed and determined for their significance.
Result: Fifteen patients (6 males and 9 females) who underwent sacrectomy (6 subtotal sacrectomy and 9 total
sacrectomy) were studied. The mean age was 53.8 years (range 26-83 years). Of these, 13 had preoperative iliac artery
embolization, 6 had ureteric stenting, 8 had anterior approach with bilateral internal iliac vessels ligation, 2 had protective
colostomy and 3 had lumbosacral reconstruction. The average operative time was 8.4 hours (4-14 hours). The mean
estimated blood loss was 5,020 mL (1,600-10,000 mL) and the average blood transfusion was 17.6 units (range 1-40 units).
Pathological diagnosis were chordoma (n=7), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (n=3), chondrosarcoma (n=2), and
giant cell tumor, gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) and leiomyosarcoma (1 each). Based on the Clavien-Dindo
Grading Systems for postoperative complications, 1 patient was categorized into Class I, 2 in Class II, 4 in Class IIIa, 7 in
Class IIIb and 1 in Class V. Eight patients (53%) had major complications and required re-operation and 1 patient died
from severe sepsis. Regarding functional outcomes, 14 of 15 patients had postoperative urinary retention and 10 of them
(67%) had constipation. The gait disturbance was as follows: 5 patients walked without assistance, 6 patients walked with
assistance and 3 patients needed wheelchairs. None had sacral hernia. The mean duration of hospital stay was 77 days
(range 24-186 days).
Conclusion: Subtotal sacrectomy was safe and had less complications whereas preoperative iliac artery embolization
did not influence intraoperative blood loss. The anterior approach with internal iliac vessel ligation decreased blood loss
especially in total sacrectomy and the posterior approach is a safe option for subtotal sacrectomy. The protective
colostomy did not affect the incidence of surgical site infection but helped in decreasing its severity. Despite preoperative
ureteric stenting, ureteric injury could not be prevented. The closure of sacral defect could be adequately undertaken
without prosthesis sheath by gluteal advancement flap or gluteus maximus approximation. There was no difference
between total and subtotal sacrectomy in terms of urinary retention and constipation. Gait disturbance is less in subtotal
sacrectomy compared to total sacrectomy. Without lumbopelvic reconstruction, total sacrectomy could give favorable
intermediate and long term outcome.

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Published

2015-06-30

How to Cite

1.
Yongchaitrakul T, Kiatisevi P. En Bloc Sacrectomy for Retrorectal Tumor: Factors Influencing Immediate Outcome. Thai J Surg [Internet]. 2015 Jun. 30 [cited 2024 Nov. 22];36(2). Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ThaiJSurg/article/view/226177

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