ABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Mesh reconstruction has been proved to be an effective method in incisional hernia repairment. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of reconstructing the pelvic floor with the high-inlay expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) GORE-TEX Dual Mesh (WLGore And Associates, Flagstuff, USA) in abdominoperineal resection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Sixty patients who underwent abdominoperineal resection for rectal cancer were assigned to 2 groups. The pelvic peritoneum was closed by routine sutures in group 1 and reconstructed with ePTFE in group 2. Postoperative complications and related items were evaluated and the patients were followed up.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Time of confining to bed, bowel function recovery, fasting, and detaining drainage were significantly different between two groups (P < 0.05). In group 1, three patients developed bowel obstruction (10%), while no bowel obstruction was observed in group 2.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Reconstruction of the pelvic floor using ePTFE results in quicker postoperative recovery and could decrease the risk of postoperative intestinal obstruction.</p>