https://doi.org/10.4081/crest.2026.59
A not-so-empty pelvis syndrome: a case report of the unusual use of a breast implant finding a new home
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Accepted: 4 October 2026
Published: 14 October 2026
One complication of pelvic exenteration involving the removal of pelvic organs is empty pelvis syndrome (EPS). Following surgery, the empty space might cause fluid collection and small bowel adhesion to the pelvic floor, potentially leading to fistula formation, pelvic abscess, or chronic infection. To treat EPS, silicone breast prostheses are sometimes placed in the pelvic cavity. This technique is considered a simple and safe method for managing EPS, although it is not a common practice, and more research is needed to fully understand its efficacy and potential complications. We present the clinical case of an oncology patient who underwent a Hartmann’s colonic resection, in whom a breast implant was placed in the pelvic cavity to fill the empty space left by the surgical excision. The patient presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain, fever, rectal discharge suggestive of an enterorectal fistula, and symptoms of intestinal obstruction.
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