RESUMO
BACKGROUND: We describe our experience with exenterative pelvic surgery for colorectal cancer in a small community hospital. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 26 consecutive patients (14 women) with locally advanced (n=16) or recurrent (n=10) colorectal adenocarcinomas who underwent pelvic exenterations between August 1990 and December 2001 in our service. RESULTS: Seventeen patients had posterior pelvic exenteration (PPE), eight had total pelvic exenteration (TPE) and one had TPE with internal hemipelvectomy. Major morbidity occurred in 12 patients (46%), causing 3 deaths (11%) in the immediate postoperative period. Fourteen of 23 patients who survived the immediate postoperative period have relapsed (61%). At a median follow-up of 42 months, the 5-year survival is 38%. CONCLUSION: Pelvic exenterative procedures can be offered to patients with bulky or recurrent colorectal carcinomas with adequate results and satisfactory palliation, even in a community setting.
