Characteristics of Neural Injury After Abdominoperineal Resection

Abstract
A total of 13 men underwent synchronous video/pressure/flow electromyography studies after abdominoperineal resection of the rectum. All patients had diminished pressure in the proximal urethra an an incompetent vesical neck suggestive of sympathetic denervation. Five patients (38%) had cystometric evidence of parasympathetic denervation, and 7 (54%) had electromyographic evidence of pudendal denervation. Apparently, denervation owing to surgical injury is an important cause of persistent symptoms after abdominoperineal resection of the rectum.