INTRODUCTION: Perineal wound complications are a main problem after abdominoperineal resection (APR). There is little evidence concerning perineal wound management. This study describes and evaluates the role of vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy in wound management strategies of perineal wound infections after APR. METHODS: @entity1 undergoing APR for @entity5 between January 2007 and January 2013 were identified retrospectively. Data regarding occurrence and management of perineal wound complications were collected. Perineal wound infections were classified into minor or major complications and time to wound healing was measured. Time to wound healing was compared between @entity1 receiving routine care or with additional VAC therapy. RESULTS: Of 171 included @entity1 , 76 (44.4%) had minor and 36 (21.1%) major perineal wound infections. Management of major @entity2737 consisted of drainage (n  =  16), debridement (n  =  4), drainage combined with debridement (n  =  4), VAC therapy alone (n  =  5), or VAC therapy combined with other treatments (n  =  7). Median duration of perineal wound healing in @entity281 wounds was 141 days (range 17-739). Median time to wound healing was not different in @entity1 treated with (172 days, range 23-368) or without VAC therapy (131 days, range 17-739). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: In this study, VAC therapy did not shorten time to wound healing. However, prospective studies are required to investigate the role of VAC therapy in management of @entity2737 after APR. Up to then, wound management will remain to be based on clinical perception and 'gut-feeling'.

Vacuum-assisted closure therapy for XXXX after abdominoperineal resection. A retrospective cohort study.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients'] @entity281 :: ('MESH:D007239', 'Disease') :: ['major infected'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['malignant disease'] @entity2737 :: ('MESH:D014946', 'Disease') :: ['infected perineal wounds']
@entity2737 :: (MESH:D014946,Disease) :: ['infected perineal wounds']
