Pelvic exenteration has become an important procedure for radical treatment of locally advanced/recurrent rectal cancer, and in recent years, with the advancement of surgical techniques and the improvement of perioperative management ability, the long-term prognosis of patients has been significantly improved. However, the high incidence of perioperative complications seriously impacts the quality of life of patients and the course of postoperative recovery, which remains a major problem for surgeons. Precise surgical levels and appropriate intraoperative position help to fully expose the surgical field, accurately identify major vessels, and reduce the risk of intraoperative bleeding. Biological mesh, myocutaneous flap and omentoplasty are common pelvic floor reconstruction methods, and combined repair of pelvic defects by two of them may further reduce the incidence of empty pelvic syndrome. Iliac revascularization could effectively prevent postoperative thrombosis and ventricular septal syndrome. The application of minimally invasive techniques and the implementation of pre-rehabilitation measures might help to reduce postoperative complications. This article reviews the prevention strategies of complications after pelvic exenteration in order to provide some reference for clinical practice and surgical promotion.
