Evaluating postoperative hernia incidence and risk factors following pelvic exenteration

Pelvic exenteration (PE) is a technically challenging surgical procedure. More recently, quality of life and survivorship following PEs are being increasingly acknowledged as important patient outcomes. This includes evaluating major long-term complications such as hernias, defined as the protrusion of internal organs through a facial defect (The PelvEx Collaborative in Br J Surg 109:1251–1263, 2022), for which there is currently limited literature. The aim of this paper is to ascertain the incidence and risk factors for postoperative hernia formation among our PE cohort managed at a quaternary centre.

A retrospective cohort study examining hernia formation following PE for locally advanced rectal carcinoma and locally recurrent rectal carcinoma between June 2010 and August 2022 at a quaternary cancer centre was performed. Baseline data evaluating patient characteristics, surgical techniques and outcomes was collated among a PE cohort of 243 patients. Postoperative hernia incidence was evaluated via independent radiological screening and clinical examination.

A total of 79 patients (32.5%) were identified as having developed a hernia. Expectantly, those undergoing flap reconstruction had a lower incidence of postoperative hernias. Of the 79 patients who developed postoperative hernias, 16.5% reported symptoms with the most common symptom reported being pain. Reintervention was required in 18 patients (23%), all of which were operative.

This study found over one-third of PE patients developed a hernia postoperatively. This paper highlights the importance of careful perioperative planning and optimization of patients to minimize morbidity.