Replacement of the peritoneum with amnion following pelvic exenteration.

An analysis was made of 24 patients undergoing pelvic exenteration. By chance, the patients are divided into two groups, 12 having the pelvic floor treated by the traditional means and 12 in whom amniotic membranes have been used. A statistically significant shortening of the hospital stay was experienced by those in the amnion group with a total lack of intestinal complications being related to the raw surface of the pelvis. A large number of recurrent or de novo carcinomas of the vagina following carcinoma of the cervix treated with radiation are identified. Two deaths in this series were related to complications of the small intestine.