Readaptation of the peritoneum following extended pelvic lymphadenectomy and cystectomy has a significant beneficial impact on early postoperative recovery and complications: results of a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND Prolonged postoperative pain and delayed intestinal transit are frequent problems following extended pelvic lymph-node dissection (PLND) and cystectomy. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of bilateral readaptation of the dorsolateral peritoneal layer on postoperative pain, gastrointestinal recovery, and complications following extended PLND and cystectomy. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Randomized, single-blinded, single-center study of 200 consecutive cystectomy patients. INTERVENTION In group A (n=100), lateral peritoneal flaps ventral to the external iliac vessels were bilaterally rotated over the iliac vessels down to the distal obturator fossa and medially fixed to the pararectal peritoneal layer following extended PLND and cystectomy. In group B (n=100), the peritoneal layer was not readapted. MEASUREMENTS Pain according to the visual analog scale (VAS), amount of peridural anesthetics needed, and gastrointestinal activity were assessed on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. Complications occurring within 30 d following surgery were documented. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS Readaptation of the dorsolateral peritoneal layer resulted in a significant decrease in pain (p<0.01) with concurrent significantly reduced need for peridural anesthetics (p<0.01). Flatulence and first passage of stool as signs of intestinal transit were noted earlier in group A than in group B. Gastrostomy tube and peridural catheter could be removed 1 d earlier in group A than in group B (postoperative days 7 vs 8 and 6 vs 7, respectively). Group A (30%) had fewer complications than group B (56%; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Readaptation of the dorsolateral peritoneal layer after extended PLND and cystectomy resulted in significantly less postoperative pain, earlier recovery of bowel function, and fewer complications in the early postoperative period.