[Management of the presacral space following colorectal surgery of malignant tumors. Results of 50 consecutive operations].

Septic complications often arise in the presacral space after low anterior resections, abdominoperineal resections and extended Hartmann procedures for a malignant process. In the framework of a prospective study the authors investigated the impact of leaving the pelvic peritoneum open and the use of a presacral irrigation suction system during 24 hours. This article reports about the experience with 50 consecutive patients. Wound infections occurred in 2 patients (4%). The average postoperative hospital stay was 15 days. It appears from this study that the use of an irrigation suction system in the presacral space contributes to avoid septic complications and shortens the hospital stay.