Abdomino-Perineal Resection Surgery
Abdomino-Perineal Resection Surgery is a surgery in which the anus, rectum and sigmoid colon are removed to treat rectal cancers located very low in the rectum.
Some facts about Abdomino-Perineal Resection Surgery:
- Abdomino-Perineal Resection Surgery is usually done after you have completed radiation and/or chemotherapy treatments.
- Cancer low in the rectum or in the anus, close to the sphincter muscles is usually treated with laparoscopic abdominoperineal resection.
- People can develop a perineal hernia after abdominoperineal resection in rare instances.
- Weakness can be there where the skin is closed after the anus is removed which can be addressed with surgical hernia repair if necessary.
- Bleeding, Perineal wound problems and Perineal sinus are postoperative complications whose treatment depends on the severity of the issue.
- Recovery after abdominoperineal resection surgery takes about three to six weeks which can vary depending on your health history, type of surgery completed and other factors.
- Instructions for abdominoperineal resection postoperative care will be given by your medical team, like how to properly care for your stoma, how often and how to change your ostomy bag when you return home from the hospital.
- Colostomy irrigation can be an option to help regulate bowel movements after the procedure.
Preparation for Abdomino-Perineal Resection Surgery:
- Your medical history and any prescription drugs or supplements you’re taking will be discussed by your healthcare provider.
- Your healthcare provider should be informed if you have sleep apnea.
- You need to bring CPAP device with you the day of your surgery if you use it.
- You are recommended not to smoke or drink alcohol in the weeks leading up to your surgery as these habits can hinder your healing and cause serious complications.
- Do not eat or drink anything for up to 12 before the surgery.
- Any medications that your surgeon gives you should be taken right before surgery.
Procedure for Abdomino-Perineal Resection Surgery:
- An abdominoperineal resection surgery generally takes about two to three hours. However, this timeframe can vary depending on your specific situation.
- Abdomino-Perineal Resection Surgery is performed under general anesthesia at a hospital.
- An abdominoperineal resection surgery which is done laparoscopically is a less invasive technique that requires five or six small incisions rather that one large incision.
- The surgery involves completing various steps before removing the anus, rectum and sigmoid colon.
- The main blood vessels that serve the diseased sections of the bowel will be first divided.
- Your surgeon will free the sigmoid colon and rectum, then separates the sigmoid colon from the remaining large intestine.
- The area between the legs known as perineal region will be operated by your surgeon to remove the anus.
- The skin will be sewn closed where the anus used to be located after removing the anus, rectum, and sigmoid colon.
- A permanent colostomy is created once the anus and rectum are removed which involves bringing a portion of the colon (large bowel) to an opening at the surface of the skin.
- Waste are allowed to pass out of the body through this new opening, called a stoma or colostomy.
- A pouch, or ostomy bag, need to be worn at all times to collect gas and stool since there is no longer conscious control of waste elimination from the body.
