Troels M Tei

Background: Growth hormone (GH) has been implicated as an important factor in the healing and previous studies showed significant strength acceleration of experimental intestinal anastomoses. Aim: To study the healing of experimental colonic anastomoses in GH-deficient rats and to study the potential physiological effects of GH-substitution on healing parameters. Conclusion: Exogenous rhGH treatment started 7 days prior to surgery and continued until day 4 postoperatively accelerates the strength development of the experimental colonic anastomoses in dwarf rats indicating a potent role of growth hormone in colonic healing. However, GH is not essential in the healing process, since anastomotic healing in GH-deficient dwarf rats is like rats with normal pituitary function.

The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in British Journal of Surgery 90: 575–580.

Background: Perineal wounds following abdominoperineal resection (APR), for persistent or locally recurrent anal cancer, are associated with poor healing secondary to irradiation therapy. The results of APR combined with a vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (VRAM) flap transposed transpelvically to cover the perineal defect are presented. Methods: Between 1994 and 2000, 105 patients were diagnosed and treated for anal cancer. Twenty-two (21 per cent) underwent a salvage operation owing to persistent or locally recurrent disease. In eight patients, before 1996, the perineum was closed primarily with serious wound complications in five. In the final 14 patients, primary perineal reconstruction with a VRAM flap was performed. Results: Median age was 65·5 (range 45–78) years. Median follow-up was 14·5 (range 3–41) months. There were no flap-related complications and primary healing was achieved in all patients. Median hospital stay was 17 (range 14–72) days. There were two major complications related to the laparotomy and abdominal closure. Conclusion: Combining the salvage operation with a VRAM flap facilitates primary healing after surgical treatment for persistent or locally recurrent anal cancer. A single-stage primary reconstructive procedure is feasible, with an acceptable complication rate and high level of patient satisfaction.