Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical usefulness of the placement of a transanal drainage tube (TDT) to prevent anastomotic leakage after a modified posterior pelvic exenteration (MPPE) for the treatment of primary ovarian cancer.

Methods We performed a retrospective review of all the consecutive patients who had undergone an MPPE for primary ovarian, tubal, or peritoneal cancer between October 2012 and November 2016 at our institution. Patient-related, disease-related, and surgery-related data were collected.

Results One hundred five patients who underwent an MPPE were included in this study. A TDT was placed in all the patients. A diverting ileostomy was created during cytoreductive surgery in 7 patients (7%). Those who underwent a diverting ileostomy tended to have a greater degree of surgical invasiveness, as was reflected by a longer operative time, a serious loss of blood, and a large quantity of intraoperative blood transfusion. Anastomotic leakage occurred in 1 patient (1%), and a diverting ileostomy was created for this patient.

Conclusions Transanal drainage tube placement seems to be an effective and safe procedure that can decrease the rate of anastomotic leakage and the need for a diverting stoma after MPPE for ovarian cancer. However, some patients inevitably require a diverting stoma despite the TDT placement.