Van Le L, Fowler W C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 27599-7570, USA.
Gynecol Oncol. 1997 Apr;65(1):188-91. doi: 10.1006/gyno.1997.4641.
Pelvic exenteration is one of the most radical procedures in the repertoire of gynecologic oncology procedures. Postoperative complications include sepsis, hemorrhage, formation of adhesions resulting in bowel obstruction, and fistulas resulting from large denuded pelvic surfaces. To date there is no clear consensus as to the best way to cover the pelvis after the destructive phase of an exenteration. Herein, we present a different approach to pelvic coverage by placement of a 300 cc saline breast implant. Use of a saline-filled breast implant to fill the pelvis represents a possible approach to addressing the denuded pelvic space created during extensive gynecologic surgery.
