After undergoing abdomino perineal excision (APE) surgery for low rectal cancer (less than 6cm from the anal verge) patients are left with a perineal wound. The Low Rectal Cancer National Development Programme (LOREC) highlighted the different tecniques used for perineal wound closure methods, healing and patient outcomes. Present literature does not provide great detail on current practice and outcomes. To gather more information and gain a greater understanding Mr Brendan Moran and the Pelican Cancer Foundation have comissioned the Perineal Wound Healing Registry. The aim of the registry is to discover which elements of each procedure are most sucessful for patients, in terms of wound healing and closure free from complications.
The database includes 277 patients from 42 units across England. Data will be collected on patients undergoing APE before and after their surgery. This will be analysed and the results will be published. This study could identify the most effective techniques for perineal wound closure methods and improve healing and patient outcomes.
