Low anterior resection syndrome: a survey of the members of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS), the Spanish Association of Surgeons (AEC), and the Spanish Society of Coloproctology (AECP)

Short-term outcomes of the "minimal skin incision and no stoma" procedure in needlescopic intersphincteric resection and delayed coloanal anastomosis for low rectal cancer

BACKGROUND

Needlescopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses thin trocars with 3-mm diameter. We used Turnbull-Cutait pull-through and delayed coloanal anastomosis in needlescopic surgery to avoid diverting ileostomy during intersphincteric resection for low rectal cancer. In this study, we aim to assess the diverting ileostomy avoidance rate and technical safety of this "minimal skin incision and no stoma" procedure.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective study was conducted at the Cancer Institute Hospital, a tertiary referral center in Japan. Between January 2017 and December 2020, 11 patients underwent needlescopic intersphincteric resection with diverting ileostomy (NSI group), and 19 patients underwent needlescopic intersphincteric resection with delayed coloanal anastomosis (NSD group) for low rectal cancer. Data regarding patient backgrounds and short-term outcomes, including diverting ileostomy avoidance rate, pathological results, and postoperative defecatory function, were compared between the groups.

RESULTS

There were no statistically significant differences between the NSI and NSD groups with respect to patient background, operation time (239 min versus 220 min, p = 0.68), estimated blood loss (45 g versus 25 g, p = 0.29), R0 resection rate (100% versus 100%, p = 1.00), and length of postoperative hospital stay (16 days versus 17 days, p = 0.42). The diverting ileostomy avoidance rate was 94.4% in the NSD group. The LARS and Wexner scores 12 months after surgery were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Needlescopic intersphincteric resection and delayed coloanal anastomosis can be safely performed in selected patients with a high rate of diverting ileostomy avoidance and comparable short-term outcomes.

Validation of Urdu Version of the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) Score

Patients subjected to low anterior resection for rectal cancers experience a constellation of symptoms of disordered bowel function which leads to a detriment in the quality of life. The LAR syndrome (LARS) score is a self-administered questionnaire to identify and assess disordered bowel function after resective surgery. The objective of this study was to validate the Urdu version of the LARS score. The translation process was carried out in a fashion outlined by the original authors of the LARS score after obtaining proper permission. The validation of the translated version included the assessment of its reliability, convergent and discriminant validities, internal consistency, and confirmatory analyses. A total of 60 patients were enrolled in the study with a 95% power of study. The translated questionnaire was initially administered to a random subgroup of patients to verify the adequacy and degree of comprehension of questions. Then reproducibility was investigated by a test-retest procedure. An analysis was then done to determine the correlation between Urdu LARS score and a quality of life related question that was included along with the questionnaire. The Urdu version of the LARS score demonstrates a high convergent validity in terms of its correlation with self-reported quality of life. It also demonstrated its efficacy to discriminate between clinical variables expected to differ with regards to LARS. There was almost perfect agreement in the test and retest values demonstrating good reliability across all instruments. The Urdu version of the LARS score has proven to be a reliable and a valid tool for measuring LARS in the Urdu speaking population of the Indian subcontinent.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13193-023-01801-0.

Information and counselling needs of patients with major low anterior resection syndrome: A qualitative study

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aim was to explore the information and counselling needs of rectal cancer survivors confronted with major low anterior resection syndrome.

BACKGROUND

Rectal cancer survivors are often confronted with bowel problems after surgery. This is called low anterior resection syndrome. Patients are unsure what to expect after treatment and healthcare professionals often underestimate the impact of low anterior resection syndrome on patients' lives.

DESIGN

A qualitative study with a grounded theory approach was conducted.

METHODS

Patients were recruited between 2017 and 2019 in three hospitals, and a call was distributed in two patients' organisations. Semi-structured interviews with patients confronted with major low anterior resection syndrome were performed. An iterative process between data collection and data analysis was used. Data analysis was done using the constant comparative method, and investigators' triangulation was applied. Qualitative data were reported following COREQ guidelines. The study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov NCT04896879.

RESULTS

A total of 28 patients were interviewed until theoretical data saturation. Before surgery patients' need for information varied according to their individual coping mechanisms. Some patients required information before surgery, while others considered this too overwhelming. When confronted with LARS, patients desired that healthcare professionals recognised its impact and clarified its expected evolution. A proactive counselling with an easy accessible and approachable healthcare professional was beneficial.

CONCLUSION

Patients expressed several needs regarding the information before rectal cancer surgery and counselling of low anterior resection syndrome after surgery.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Better knowledge and understanding of major low anterior resection syndrome and its challenges by healthcare professionals are crucial. Especially the impact on quality of life is significant for patients and underestimated by healthcare professionals. Information before surgery and counselling when confronted with major low anterior resection syndrome should be optimised and tailored to patients' needs.

Experiences of bowel symptoms in patients with rectal cancer after sphincter-preserving surgery: a qualitative meta-synthesis

PURPOSE

This study is to identify and synthesize the available evidence of bowel symptom experiences of patients with rectal cancer after sphincter-preserving surgery (SPS).

METHODS

This qualitative meta-synthesis was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) qualitative systematic review methodology and reported following the Enhancing Transparency in Reporting the Synthesis of Qualitative Research (ENTREQ) guidelines. Seven databases were searched on 22 December 2021. The selected studies were reviewed by two independent reviewers, and disagreements were resolved by discussion or with a third reviewer.

RESULTS

Seven qualitative articles were included in the meta-synthesis with 192 total rectal cancer patients. The review summarized 53 qualitative findings into three synthesized findings: (a) Patients experienced bowel symptoms and triggered additional physiological problems, and they underestimated bowel symptoms; (b) patients had many negative emotions, and their daily life and social interaction were disturbed; and (c) patients adopted strategies to adapt or control their bowel symptoms. According to the ConQual evidence grading approach, the confidence of the synthesized findings was rated as moderate to low.

CONCLUSIONS

The bowel symptoms of patients with rectal cancer after SPS have troubled their lives. Timely acquisition of symptom-related knowledge and enhancement of their coping abilities are important for the control and management of bowel symptoms. Healthcare professionals should clearly understand the bowel symptoms that patients may experience after SPS and provide supportive care for patients to improve patients' self-management abilities and quality of life.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

PROSPERO: CRD42021242610.

A predictive nomogram model for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer resection

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors associated with the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and to construct a nomogram capable of predicting the risk of LARS in patients who undergo rectal cancer resection.

METHODS

About 538 patients who had undergone anterior resection were recruited as a development set. In addition, 114 patients with rectal cancer were analysed as a validation set to test the new nomogram. Patients in the development set were grouped into two separate cohorts: those with major LARS and those with minor or no LARS. Multiple logistic regression was conducted to detect risk factors for major LARS.

RESULTS

The prevalence of major LARS was 40.7%, of minor LARS was 28.6% and the proportion with no LARS was 30.7% in the development set. In multivariate analysis, female gender, preoperative chemoradiation, low tumour height, diverting ileostomy, postoperative anastomotic leakage were shown to be independently associated with major LARS occurring in patients after rectal cancer resection. The area under the curve (AUC) values of the nomogram were 0.726 (95% CI: 0.682-0.769) and 0.750 (95% CI: 0.655-0.845) in the development and validation sets, respectively. The calibration curves and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit tests showed that the model was acceptably accurate.

CONCLUSION

A nomogram model based on risk factors could be valuable as a predictor of the probability of major LARS after rectal cancer surgery, and provides a guide that clinical staff can use to take preventive measures for high-risk patients.

Multimodal Treatment of Rectal Cancer

BACKGROUND

Colorectal cancer is one of the three most common types of cancer in Germany. Approximately 30% of these cancers are located in the rectum, corresponding to about 18 000 new cases per year.

METHODS

This review is based on publications retrieved by a selective search in the PubMed database, including current guidelines and recommendations.

RESULTS

Specialized imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging, is essential for treatment planning. In very early stages of this disease, tumors without risk factors can be excised locally. Otherwise, radical surgical resection with lymphadenectomy remains the standard treatment, and can be performed either minimally invasive or open. At present, neoadjuvant treatment plans are evolving in the direction of total neoadjuvant therapy. In addition, recent studies investigate whether the improved efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy might now enable patients with a complete clinical remission to be spared from surgical resection (organ-preserving watch-and-wait strategy).

CONCLUSION

The treatment of rectal cancer is a prime example of an interdisciplinary, multimodal approach. In the past, the focus was mainly on improving oncologic outcomes; at present, increasing attention is being devoted to the patients' quality of life as well and the functional aspects of the various modes of treatment.

Clinical Utility and Characteristics of the LARS Score Compared to the CCIS

PURPOSE

The low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score (LS) has been widely validated and has become an international tool for evaluating postoperative bowel dysfunction. However, many physicians still use the conventional incontinence scores in LARS treatment. Moreover, interpretation of LS and its relationship with conventional incontinence scores are not yet well understood. Here we compared the LS with the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score (CCIS) to clarify the clinical utility and characteristics of the LARS score.

METHODS

We performed a multicentre observational study, recruiting 246 rectal cancer patients following sphincter-preserving surgery. Patients completed the LS, CCIS, and SF36 questionnaires.

RESULTS

The response rate was 76.4%, and a total of 180 patients were analysed. The LS was strongly correlated with the CCIS (P < 0.001, rs = 0.727). However, among 116 patients determined to not have incontinence (CCIS 0-5), 51 (44%) were diagnosed with LARS (29 with minor LARS and 22 with major LARS). Among 68 patients without LARS, only 3 were diagnosed as having incontinence (CCIS > 6). In comparison with background factors, aging and elapsed time were associated with only LS. High LS and CCIS both showed significant quality-of-life impairment as assessed by the SF-36.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to determine the difference in the numeric values between the CCIS and LS. The LS can be a convenient tool for LARS screening, identifying a wide range of patients with LARS, including those with incontinence evaluated by CCIS. Assessment using the CCIS may often underestimate LARS.

A novel bowel rehabilitation programme after total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer: the BOREAL pilot study

AIM

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) following sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer has a high prevalence, with an impact on long-term bowel dysfunction and quality of life. We designed the bowel rehabilitation programme (BOREAL) as a proactive strategy to assess and treat patients with LARS. The BOREAL programme consists of a stepwise approach of escalating treatments: medical management (steps 0-1), pelvic floor physiotherapy, biofeedback and transanal irrigation (step 2), sacral nerve neuromodulation (step 3), percutaneous endoscopic caecostomy and anterograde enema (step 4) and definitive colostomy (step 5).

METHODS

A pilot study was undertaken to assess the feasibility of collecting LARS data routinely with the parallel implementation of the BOREAL programme. All patients who underwent total mesorectal excision for rectal cancer between February 2017 and March 2019 were included. LARS was assessed using the LARS score and the Wexner Faecal Incontinence score at 30 days and 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively. A good functional result was considered to be a combined LARS score <20 and/or a Wexner score <4.

RESULTS

In all, 137 patients were included. Overall compliance with the BOREAL programme was 72.9%. Major LARS decreased from 48% at 30 days postoperatively to 12% at 12 months, with a concomitant improvement in overall good function from 33% to 77%, P < 0.001. The majority of patients (n = 106, 77%) required medical management of their LARS.

CONCLUSION

The BOREAL programme demonstrates the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of implementing a responsive, stepwise programme for detecting and treating LARS.

The incidence and risk factors of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) after sphincter-preserving surgery of rectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Many patients after sphincter-preserving surgery experienced anorectal functional disturbances which were known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Although many studies investigated LARS, there was inconsistency of their assessment tools and results. The aim of this systematic review was to elucidate the incidence and risk factors of LARS by a validated tool-LARS score.

METHODS

A systematic literature search in Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane Library was conducted in April 2020. Studies investigating patients who were evaluated by LARS score 1 year after their sphincter-preserving surgery due to rectal cancer were included. Meta-analysis of incidence was conducted using the double arcsine method. Meta-analysis of each risk factor was conducted using a random effects model.

RESULTS

A total of 50 studies were included. The pooled incidence of major LARS was 44% (95% CI 40-48%; I² = 88%; 36 studies). Long course neoadjuvant radiotherapy (OR 2.89, 95% CI 2.06-4.05; I² = 47%; P < 0.01; 10 studies), total mesorectal excision (TME) (OR 2.13, 95% CI 1.49-3.04; I² = 53%; P < 0.01; 7 studies), anastomotic leak (OR 1.98, 95% CI 1.34-2.93; I² = 39%; P < 0.01; 9 studies), and diverting stoma (OR 1.89, 95% CI 1.58-2.27; I² = 0%; P < 0.01; 13 studies) were associated with increased risk of major LARS. No significant difference was found in major LARS incidence between transanal TME and laparoscopic TME (OR 1.36, 95% CI 0.78-2.40; I² = 19%; P = 0.28; 4 studies). Pouch reconstruction failed to lower the risk of major LARS in long term (OR 1.43, 95% CI 0.88-2.33; I² = 70%; P = 0.29; 9 studies).

CONCLUSION

The incidence of major LARS after sphincter-preserving surgery is relatively high. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy, TME, anastomostic leak, and diverting stoma are major risk factors. No significant differences in postoperative anorectal functions were observed between transanal and laparoscopic TME. Pouch reconstruction was not found to be significantly beneficial to anorectal functions in long term.

Management guidelines for low anterior resection syndrome - the MANUEL project

AIM

Little is known about the pathophysiology of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), and evidence concerning the management of patients diagnosed with this condition is scarce. The aim of the LARS Expert Advisory Panel was to develop practical guidance for healthcare professionals dealing with LARS.

METHOD

The 'Management guidelines for low anterior resection syndrome' (MANUEL) project was promoted by a team of eight experts in the assessment and management of patients with LARS. After a face-to-face meeting, a strategy was agreed to create a comprehensive, practical guide covering all aspects that were felt to be clinically relevant. Eight themes were decided upon and working groups established. Each working group generated a draft; these were collated by another collaborator into a manuscript, after a conference call. This was circulated among the collaborators, and it was revised following the comments received. A lay patient revised the manuscript, and contributed to a section containing a patient's perspective. The manuscript was again circulated and finalized. A final teleconference was held at the end of the project.

RESULTS

The guidance covers all aspects of LARS management, from pathophysiology, to assessment and management. Given the lack of sound evidence and the often poor quality of the studies, most of the recommendations and conclusions are based on the opinions of the experts.

CONCLUSIONS

The MANUEL project provides an up-to-date practical summary of the available evidence concerning LARS, with useful directions for healthcare professional and patients suffering from this debilitating condition.

Knowledge, attitudes, practices, and related factors of low anterior resection syndrome management among colorectal surgery nurses: a multicenter cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

With the widespread development of low and ultra-low rectal sphincter-preservation surgery, low anterior resection syndrome, a new clinical challenge, has received increased attention. As the principal practitioners of this syndrome management, colorectal surgery nurses require sufficient relevant knowledge and skills, but few studies have been conducted of their actual ability and practice of managing the syndrome. The study adopted a knowledge, attitude, and practice model to evaluate low anterior resection syndrome management among colorectal surgery nurses.

METHOD

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted, in which 361 registered nurses in colorectal surgery from 6 hospitals in 4 cities were enrolled. A structured paper questionnaire was used to collect demographics, scale scores for knowledge, attitudes and management practice, and training needs.

RESULTS

Participants scored poorly in knowledge, attitude, and practice. Whether training had been received or not was an important factor affecting the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nurses, and the majority of participants had not received training. Nurses with lower levels of education had worse knowledge and practice, and contract nurses scored lower than staff nurses in terms of knowledge and attitude.

CONCLUSIONS

The critical role of nurses in patient management places high demands on their knowledge, attitude, and practice. However, the present study demonstrated that the current knowledge, attitude, and practice of colorectal surgery nurses regarding the syndrome gave cause for concern, and whether training had been received was a key factor affecting these three aspects. Therefore, training is a key strategy to eliminate the gaps identified.

Changes to gastrointestinal function after surgery for colorectal cancer

Bowel function is increasingly considered as an important outcome for patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer. Increasing technical skills and technological advances have meant fewer patients require a long-term stoma but this comes at the cost, often, of poor function. With a larger range of treatment options available for a given cancer, both function and oncology should be considered in parallel when counselling patients before surgery. In the perioperative phase, bowel function can be improved with minimally invasive surgery and enhanced recovery after surgery protocols, with limited evidence for targeted medical therapies. Early detection and sound management of surgical complications such as anastomotic leak and stricture can mitigate their adverse effects on bowel function. Long-term gastrointestinal dysfunction manifests as diarrhoea and low anterior resection syndrome for colon and rectal cancer respectively. Multi-modal strategies for low anterior resection syndrome are emerging to improve significantly quality of life after restorative rectal cancer surgery.

Five-year single center experience of sacral neuromodulation for isolated fecal incontinence or fecal incontinence combined with low anterior resection syndrome

PURPOSE

Sacral neuromodulation (SNM) has proven to be a safe and effective treatment for fecal incontinence (FI). For low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), however, SNM efficacy is still poorly documented. The primary aim of this study was to report on efficacy of SNM therapy for patients with isolated FI or LARS. Furthermore, we evaluated the safety of the procedure and the relevance of adequate follow-up.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis was performed upon a prospectively maintained database of all patients who underwent SNM therapy for isolated FI or LARS between January 2014 and January 2019. The Wexner and LARS scores were evaluated at baseline, during test phase, after definitive implantation and annually during follow-up. Treatment success was defined as at least 50% improvement of the Wexner score or a reduction to minor or no LARS.

RESULTS

Out of 89 patients with isolated FI or LARS who had a SNM test phase, 62 patients were eligible for implantation of the permanent SNM device. At baseline, 3 weeks, and 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 years after definitive implantation the median Wexner score of all patients was 18, 2, 4.5, 5, 5, 4 and 4.5, respectively, and 18, 4, 5.5, 5, 4, 3 and 4, respectively, for patients with FI and LARS. Patients with LARS more frequently required changes in program settings.

CONCLUSIONS

SNM therapy is a safe and effective treatment for patients with isolated FI and patients with FI and LARS. Adequate follow-up is essential to ensure long-term effectivity, especially for LARS patients.

'French LARS score': validation of the French version of the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score for measuring bowel dysfunction after sphincter-preserving surgery among rectal cancer patients: a study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Many bowel problems following low anterior resection (LAR) for rectal cancer considerably impair the quality of life (QoL) of patients. The LAR syndrome (LARS) scale is a self-report questionnaire to identify and assess bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery. It has been translated and validated in several languages but not in French (metropolitan French). The primary objective is to adapt the LARS scale to the French language (called French-LARS score) and to assess its psychometric properties. Secondary objectives are to assess both the prevalence and severity of LARS and to measure their impact on QoL.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

A French multicentre observational cohort study has been designed. The validation study will include translation of the LARS scale following the current international recommendations, assessment of its reliability, convergent and discriminant validities, sensitivity, internal consistency, internal validity and confirmatory analyses. One thousand patients will be enrolled for the analyses. The questionnaire will be initially administered to the first 100 patients to verify the adequacy and degree of comprehension of the questions. Then reproducibility will be investigated by a test-retest procedure in the following 400 patients.An analysis will be conducted to determine the correlation between the LARS score and the Quality of Life Questionnaire (QLQ; European Organization for Treatment and Research of Cancer's QLQ-C30, QLQ-CR29). Risk factors linked to QoL deterioration will be identified and their impact will be measured. This study will meet the need for a validated tool to improve patient care and QoL.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The institutional review board of the University Hospital of Caen and the ethics committee (CPP Nord Ouest I, 25 January 2019) approved the study.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT03569488.

A randomized trial comparing transanal irrigation and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in the management of low anterior resection syndrome

AIM

To assess the effectiveness of transanal irrigation (TAI) compared with posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) in severe and chronic low anterior resection syndrome (LARS).

METHOD

A two-group parallel, open-label randomized controlled trial carried out in a single university hospital. The study population included patients with a LARS scale score of more than 29 points who had undergone rectal surgery more than 1 year previously. These were randomly allocated, with a central randomization system, following a 1:1 sequence to TAI or PTNS. The main study outcome was to achieve a reduction of at least one LARS grade in at least 50% of the patients, for each intervention.

RESULTS

A total of 27 patients (TAI = 13, PTNS = 14) were randomized. Both groups were similar with regard to confounding factors. Four patients were excluded because of intercurrent disease or early dropout, leaving 23 (TAI, n = 10; PTNS, n = 13) for analysis. Eight out of 10 and 4 out of 13 patients were downgraded with TAI and PTNS, respectively. The median LARS score decreased from 35 [interquartile range (IQR) 32-39] to 12 (IQR 12-26) (P = 0.021) for the TAI group and from 35 (IQR 34-37) to 30 (IQR 25-33) (P = 0.045) for the PTNS group. The Vaizey score fell from 15 (IQR 11-18) to 6 (IQR 4-7) (P = 0.037) and from 14 (IQR 13-17) to 9 (IQR 7-10) (P = 0.007) with TAI and PTNS, respectively, with 80% and 38% of patients, respectively, showing decreases of more than 50%. Improvement in quality of life was observed in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Both treatments improved the LARS score in this study but this was only significant in the TAI group.

Implementation of a Postoperative Screening and Treatment Guidance for the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome: Preliminary Results

BACKGROUND

Even years after a low anterior resection, many patients experience persisting bowel complaints. This is referred to as low anterior resection syndrome and has a severe adverse effect on quality of life. Its diverse nature makes it difficult to find a gold-standard therapy for this syndrome. However, most importantly, postoperative guidance appears to be suboptimal.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to describe and evaluate the implementation of a multimodel guidance with structured screening and treatment options.

DESIGN

A retrospective, comparative, cross-sectional study was conducted. Data of patients treated before protocol implementation were compared with a cohort after implementation.

SETTINGS

This was a single-center study.

PATIENTS

Patients seen after low anterior resection or sigmoid resection between 2010 and 2017 for colorectal malignancy were included.

INTERVENTION

This included implementation of a postoperative guidance protocol.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Bowel dysfunction was assessed by the low anterior resection score, whereas the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaires (C30 and CR29) assessed general and colorectal-specific quality of life.

RESULTS

A total of 243 patients were included; 195 were guided before and 48 after protocol implementation. Patients who underwent low anterior resection after protocol implementation showed significantly lower median low anterior resection scores (31 vs 18; p = 0.02) and less major low anterior resection syndrome (51.9% vs 26.3%; p = 0.045). Patients who underwent sigmoid resection did not present with similar changes. Multiple quality-of-life domains showed clinically significant positive changes since our postoperative protocol was implemented.

LIMITATIONS

Patient characteristics are not comparable between groups, which makes it difficult to draw firm conclusions.

CONCLUSIONS

We recommend that others reconsider their current postoperative management for patients with rectal cancer and suggest a change to a comparable noninvasive, patient-driven postoperative guidance to enhance patient coping mechanisms and self-management and therefore improve their quality of life. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A970. IMPLEMENTACIÓN DE UNA GUÍA POSTOPERATORIA DE DETECCIÓN Y TRATAMIENTO PARA EL SÍNDROME DE RESECCIÓN ANTERIOR BAJA: RESULTADOS PRELIMINARES: Incluso años después de una resección anterior baja, muchos pacientes experimentan quejas intestinales persistentes. Esto se conoce como síndrome de resección anterior baja y tiene un efecto adverso grave en la calidad de vida. Su naturaleza diversa hace que sea difícil encontrar una terapia patrón de oro para este síndrome. Pero lo más importante, la guía postoperatoria parece ser subóptima.

OBJETIVO

Describir y evaluar la implementación de una guía de múltiples modelos con opciones estructuradas de selección y tratamiento.

DISENO

Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo de corte transversal comparativo. Los datos de los pacientes tratados antes de la implementación del protocolo se compararon con una cohorte después de la implementación.

MARCO

Centro de estudio único.

PACIENTES

Pacientes después de resección anterior baja o resección sigmoidea entre 2010-2017 por neoplasia colorectal. INTERVENCIÓN:: La implementación de un protocolo de guía postoperatoria.

PRINCIPALES MEDIDAS DE RESULTADO

La disfunción intestinal se evaluó mediante la puntuación de resección anterior baja, mientras que la Organización Europea para la Investigación y Tratamiento de Cuestionarios de Calidad de Vida del Cáncer (C30 y CR29) evaluó la calidad de vida general y específicamente colorectal.

RESULTADOS

Se incluyeron 243 pacientes, 195 fueron guiados antes y 48 después de la implementación del protocolo. Los pacientes que se sometieron a una resección anterior baja después de la implementación del protocolo mostraron puntuaciones de resección anterior bajas medias significativamente más bajas (31 frente a 18; p = 0,02) y menos puntuaciones de síndrome de resección anterior baja (51,9% frente a 26,3%; p = 0,045). Los pacientes sometidos a resección sigmoidea no presentaron cambios similares. Los múltiples dominios de calidad de vida mostraron cambios positivos clínicamente significativos desde que se implementó nuestro protocolo postoperatorio.

LIMITACIONES

Las características de los pacientes no son comparables entre los grupos, lo que dificulta sacar conclusiones firmes. CONCLUSIÓNES:: Recomendamos a otros que reconsideren su manejo postoperatorio actual para pacientes con cáncer de recto y sugerimos un cambio a una guía postoperatoria impulsada por el paciente no invasiva comparable para mejorar los mecanismos de afrontamiento y el autocontrol de los pacientes y, por lo tanto, mejorar su calidad de vida. Vea el Video del Resumen en http://links.lww.com/DCR/A970.

Quality of Life After Surgery for Rectal Cancer: a Comparison of Functional Outcomes After Transanal and Laparoscopic Approaches

BACKGROUND

The aim in rectal cancer surgery is to cure with minimal impact on the quality of life. Transanal total mesorectal excision (TaTME) seems to be a safe and feasible alternative to laparoscopic TME (LaTME). However, limited data are available on the functional outcomes after TaTME. We aimed to study the quality of life (QoL), through questionnaires, comparing different functional outcomes after TaTME and LaTME.

METHODS

Consecutive patients who underwent TME between 2010 and 2017 at Slagelse Hospital, Denmark, were included based on certain criteria. Patients were divided according to the surgical technique (TaTME vs LaTME). The study was based on telephone interviews using the questionnaires: EORTC-QLQ C30, EORTC-QLQ C29, Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) score, and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) for male patients. Patients in this study had a follow-up time of at least 8 months.

RESULTS

Overall, global health status was similar between the groups (p = 0.625). Anorectal symptoms were significantly in disfavor of TaTME including buttock pain (p = 0.011), diarrhea (p = 0.009), clustering of stools (p = 0.017), and urgency (p = 0.032), yet total LARS score was comparable (p = 0.054). We found comparable sexual results and an overall higher satisfaction with urinary status in TaTME group (p = 0.010), yet no difference in IPSS symptoms (p = 0.236).

CONCLUSIONS

Anorectal dysfunction may occur after total mesorectal excision (TME) regardless of surgical technique, frequently more in after TaTME. The LARS symptoms and the overall quality of life status were however comparable. TaTME had a positive impact on the reported QoL, related to urinary symptoms.

Etiology and management of low anterior resection syndrome based on the normal defecation mechanism

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) commonly develops after an anal sphincter-preserving operation (SPO). The etiology of LARS is not well understood, as the anatomical components and physiological function of normal defecation, which may be damaged during the SPO, are not well established. SPOs may damage components of the anal canal (such as the internal anal sphincter, longitudinal conjoint muscle, or hiatal ligament), either mechanically or via injury to the nerves that supply these organs. The function of the rectum is substantially impaired by resection of the rectum, division of the rectococcygeus muscle, and/or injury of the nervous supply. When the remnant rectum is small and does not function properly, an important functional role may be played by the neorectum, which is usually constructed from the left side of the colon. Hypermotility of the remnant colon may affect the manifestation of urge fecal incontinence. To develop an SPO that minimizes the risk of LARS, the anatomy and physiology of the structures involved in normal defecation need to be understood better. LARS is managed similarly to fecal incontinence. In particular, management should focus on reducing colonic motility when urge fecal incontinence is the dominant symptom.

Anterior resection syndrome: What should we tell practitioners and patients in 2018?

Multidisciplinary management of infra-peritoneal rectal cancer has pushed back the frontiers of sphincter preservation, without impairment of carcinological outcome. However, functional intestinal sequelae, grouping together several symptoms known under the name of anterior resection syndrome (ARS), have emerged and become an increasingly frequent concern for both patients and physicians. The pathophysiology is complex: ARS is a combination in various degrees of stool frequency, incontinence for flatus and/or stools, urgency, and disorders in discrimination and evacuation. The "Low Anterior Resection Score" (LARS), validated in 2012, is currently used to evaluate the severity of ARS and its impact on quality of life. While ARS can show improvement over the first two years, symptoms persist for longer than two years in nearly 60% of patients and in half of these patients, ARS is considered severe. The most frequently reported independent risk factors of severe ARS include neo-adjuvant radiation therapy, the extent of resection (total mesorectal excision that includes inter-sphincteric resection), absence of colonic pouch and anastomotic leak. In the absence of surgical complications and/or local recurrence, physicians can draw from a wide therapeutic armamentarium in order to improve the functional outcome of patients, including diet and lifestyle modifications, gut motility regulators, multimodal rehabilitation (biofeedback, electro-stimulation) and sacral nerve modulation. Permanent colostomy is an alternative of last resort, proposed only when all other solutions fail. A better understanding of the natural history of ARS, its risk factors as well as the array of therapeutic alternatives should provide better patient information and optimize management.

Perioperative radiotherapy is an independent risk factor for major LARS: a cross-sectional observational study

PURPOSE

Sphincter-preserving surgery for rectal cancer is often associated with low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of LARS in our institution and identify possible risk factors for LARS. Furthermore, we evaluated which of the LARS symptoms was considered most disabling by patients and whether or not there is an adaptation of the LARS score over time.

METHODS

This study includes a prospective database of 100 patients who underwent total or partial mesorectal excision between January 2009 and September 2014. Patients were contacted after a median postoperative time of 38 (5-45) months to determine the LARS score and to identify LARS symptoms that were considered most disabling. Uni- and multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify risk factors for LARS and major LARS. Finally, the LARS score was evaluated over time after restoration of bowel continuity.

RESULTS

Out of the 100 patients, 16 had minor LARS (score 21-29) and 51 patients had major LARS (score 30-42). Radiotherapy was an independent risk factor for major LARS (p = 0.04). For the majority of patients with major LARS (22%), fragmentation was considered the most disabling complaint. There was no correlation between interval after restoration of bowel continuity and the severity of the LARS score.

CONCLUSIONS

Perioperative radiotherapy is an independent risk factor for major LARS. Fragmentation is considered the most disabling complaint in the majority of patients with major LARS. There is no significant adaptation of the LARS score over time.

Quality of life and anterior resection syndrome after surgery for mid to low rectal cancer: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to analyze the quality of life (QoL), low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) and fecal incontinence after surgery for mid to low rectal cancer and its relationship with the type of surgical procedure performed.

METHODS

A cross-sectional cohort survey study of 358 patients operated on for mid to low rectal cancer. Patients were included in three groups: abdominoperineal resection (APR), low mechanical colorectal anastomosis (CRA) and hand-sewn coloanal anastomosis (CAA). The QLQ-C30/CR29 questionnaires, LARS and Vaizey scores were used to study QoL and defecatory dysfunction. Multivariable analysis was used to estimate the prognostic effect of the variables on QoL and LARS scores.

RESULTS

62.6% of the patients answered the survey. The global QoL score was similar among APR, CRA and CAA. Patients' body image perception was significantly worse after APR than after CRA or CAA. LARS score was better in CRA group (p = 0.002). A major LARS was observed in 83.3% of the patients who underwent CAA and in 56.6% of the patients who underwent CRA. No relationship between surgical procedures and the global QoL score was observed. Neoadjuvant radiotherapy (p = 0.048) and CAA (p = 0.005) were associated with a major LARS. The Vaizey score was higher for CAA than for CRA (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Though CAA group presents worse LARS and higher faecal incontinence scores respect CRA patients, and APR is related with a worse body image, global QoL was similar in the three groups.

Acceptability and benefit of rectal irrigation in patients with Low Anterior Resection Syndrome: a qualitative study

AIM

Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) following rectal cancer surgery impairs the patient's quality of life (QoL). Rectal Irrigation has been demonstrated to be effective for anterior resection syndrome but many surgeons do not suggest it as a treatment. This feasibility study aimed to explore treatment acceptability and the benefit of rectal irrigation in patients who developed LARS following an anterior resection for rectal cancer.

METHODS

This was a qualitative study, involving semi-structured interviews. Twenty-one patients diagnosed with LARS following anterior resection for rectal cancer in a single tertiary centre were offered rectal irrigation as a treatment option. Qualitative interviews (n=17) were conducted at baseline to explore patient reported impact of LARS on QoL, treatment acceptability and factors influencing the decision to accept/decline treatment. Follow up interviews were carried out at six months for the treatment group only (n=12), to assess its practicality and impact on QoL.

RESULTS

Qualitative interview findings suggest rectal irrigation is an acceptable method of treatment for LARS. Participants who perceived their symptoms to be more severe or poorly controlled were most likely to consider rectal irrigation as a treatment option. The patients who completed treatment reported improvements in their QoL, the ability to control the time of defaecation being the key benefit CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider offering rectal irrigation as a treatment option to patients presenting with bowel dysfunction following anterior resection as it can improve symptoms. Patients who perceive that their symptoms are severe are more likely to consider treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Factors associated with low anterior resection syndrome after surgical treatment of rectal cancer

AIM

To assess factors independently associated with low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) following resection or rectal cancer.

METHOD

Cross-sectional study carried out in two acute-care teaching hospitals in Barcelona, Spain. Patients who had undergone sphincter preserving low anterior resection with curative intent, with total or partial mesorectal excision (with and without protective ileostomy) between January 2001 and December 2009 completed a self-administered questionnaire to assess bowel dysfunction after rectal cancer surgery. Predictors of LARS were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

The questionnaire was sent to 329 patients (response rate 57.7%). Six cases of incomplete questionnaires were excluded. The study population included 184 patients (66.8% men) with a mean age of 63 years. There were 44 (23.9%) patients with no LARS, 36 (19.6%) with minor LARS and 104 (56.2%) with major LARS. In the univariate analysis, total mesorectal excision (P = 0.0008), protective ileostomy (P = 0.002), preoperative and postoperative radiotherapy (P = 0.0000), postoperative chemotherapy (P = 0.0046) and age (P = 0.035) were significantly associated with major LARS, whereas in the multivariate analysis, total mesorectal excision (odds ratio [OR] 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-4.65), preoperative radiotherapy (OR 4.33, 95% CI 2.03-9.27) and postoperative radiotherapy (OR 9.52, 95% CI 1.74-52.24) were independent risk factors for major LARS.

CONCLUSIONS

In this study, the risk of having major LARS increases with total mesorectal excision and both neoadjuvant and adjuvant radiotherapy. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Long-term functional follow-up after anterior rectal resection for cancer

PURPOSE

This is a retrospective analysis including all of the patients that have undergone anterior resection for rectal cancer from January 1998 to December 2005 in two tertiary referral centers. The study aims to evaluate the long term functional results after low anterior resection and to identify the risk factors of postoperative bowel disorders.

METHOD

Data were collected from the clinical records, and then the low anterior resection syndrome score which is a specific questionnaire to investigate the symptoms after surgery was submitted to the selected patients. Exclusion criteria were intra-abdominal rectal cancer, partial mesorectal excision, permanent stoma, recurrent local disease, and patients who declined the questionnaire.

RESULTS

A total of 93 patients were included in the analysis with a median age at the diagnosis of 66 years. The median follow-up was 13.7 years, and low anterior resection syndrome was reported in 44 patients (47.5 %), with major manifestations in 19 patients (20.5 %), and minor symptoms in 25 patients (27 %). Age more than 70 years, tumor distance from the external anal verge, neoadjuvant treatment, and interval time of closing stoma are independent prognostic factors of functional disorders after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of its great impact on the quality of life of these patients, it is necessary to early identify the syndrome trying to reduce its manifestations. Moreover, the symptoms seem to remain stable 1 year after surgery; hence, it is important to have an exhaustive, preoperative counseling and an integrated post-operative functional and rehabilitational follow-up in association with the oncologic pathway.