Multicentre propensity score-matched analysis of conventional versus extended abdominoperineal excision for low rectal cancer

Abstract Background Abdominal perineal excision (APE) was originally described with levator ani removal for rectal cancer. An even wider, more aggressive extralevator resection for APE has been proposed. Although some surgeons are performing a very wide ‘extralevator APE (ELAPE)’, there are few data to recommend it routinely. This multicentre study aimed to compare outcomes of APE and ELAPE. Methods A multicentre propensity case-matched analysis comparing two surgical approaches (APE and ELAPE) was performed. All patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection of a rectal tumour were considered for the analysis. Tumour height was defined by magnetic resonance imaging measurement and patie…