Rectal perforation after retropubic radical prostatectomy: occurrence and management.

Abstract

A surgical audit of the management of rectal perforations during retropubic radical prostatectomy. Assessment of incidence, risk factors, management and outcome. All 10 cases (3.6%) sustaining a rectal injury of a total series of 270, while undergoing retropubic radical prostatectomy at our 2 institutions were reviewed. In all cases, the injury was immediately recognized and treated by primary suture, anal dilatation and antibiotics. In 1 case, a temporary colostomy was performed. Recovery was uneventful in all cases, and the postoperative hospitalization was only slightly longer than usual in the 9 cases without fecal diversion. No fistulae or wound infections occurred, but closure of 1 colostomy was complicated. Provided that the injury is promptly recognized and properly sutured, a rectal perforation at radical prostatectomy is not of great significance and should not deter from an adequate preoperative investigation by multiple transrectal core biopsies or neoadjuvant hormonal treatment. The use of preoperative bowel preparation, routine antibiotic prophylaxis, omental interposition or a proximal colostomy does not appear to be necessary in order to achieve immediate safe repair.