Long-term impact of full-thickness rectal prolapse treatment on fecal incontinence

Comparative study of laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy versus perineal stapler resection for external full-thickness rectal prolapse in elderly patients: enhanced outcomes and reduced recurrence rates-a retrospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

In elderly patients with external full-thickness rectal prolapse (EFTRP), the exact differences in postoperative recurrence and functional outcomes between laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (LVMR) and perineal stapler resection (PSR) have not yet been investigated.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective multicenter study on 330 elderly patients divided into LVMR group (n = 250) and PSR (n = 80) from April 2012 to April 2019. Patients were evaluated before and after surgery by Wexner incontinence scale, Altomare constipation scale, and patient satisfaction questionnaire. The primary outcomes were incidence and risk factors for EFTRP recurrence. Secondary outcomes were postoperative incontinence, constipation, and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

LVMR was associated with fewer postoperative complications (p < 0.001), lower prolapse recurrence (p < 0.001), lower Wexner incontinence score (p = 0.03), and lower Altomare's score (p = 0.047). Furthermore, LVMR demonstrated a significantly higher surgery-recurrence interval (p < 0.001), incontinence improvement (p = 0.019), and patient satisfaction (p < 0.001) than PSR. Three and 13 patients developed new symptoms in LVMR and PSR, respectively. The predictors for prolapse recurrence were LVMR (associated with 93% risk reduction of recurrence, OR 0.067, 95% CI 0.03-0.347, p = 0.001), symptom duration (prolonged duration was associated with an increased risk of recurrence, OR 1.131, 95% CI 1.036-1.236, p = 0.006), and length of prolapse (increased length was associated with a high recurrence risk (OR = 1.407, 95% CI = 1.197-1.655, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

LVMR is safe for EFTRP treatment in elderly patients with low recurrence, and improved postoperative functional outcomes.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinical Trial.gov (NCT05915936), retrospectively registered on June 14, 2023.

Symptoms of anal incontinence and quality of life: a psychometric study of the Norwegian version of the ICIQ-B amongst hospital outpatients

BACKGROUND

The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Bowel (ICIQ-B), a self-report, condition-specific questionnaire designed to assess symptoms of anal incontinence (AI), measures AI's impact on quality of life (QoL) along with perceived bowel patterns and bowel control amongst individuals with AI. In our study, we aimed to translate the ICIQ-B to Norwegian and investigate the Norwegian version's psychometric properties.

METHODS

To establish a relevant, comprehensive, and understandable Norwegian ICIQ-B, cognitive interviews were conducted with 10 patients with AI, and six clinical experts reviewed the translated scale. The Norwegian ICIQ-B's structural validity, scale reliability, and content validity were tested amongst patients with AI attending hospital outpatient clinics in three regions of Norway (N = 208).

RESULTS

Assessing the Norwegian ICIQ-B's content validity revealed that the questionnaire was relevant, comprehensive, and understandable. Missing data were infrequent (3.3%), and no floor or ceiling effects emerged. Three-factor and two-factor solution models, both with advantages and disadvantages, were found. The three-factor model offered the most parsimonious solution by covering most of the original scale, albeit with an unacceptably low reliability (α = .37) for the construct of bowel pattern. The two-factor model showed good reliability in terms of internal consistency for the constructs of bowel control (α = .80) and impact on QoL (α = .85) but was less parsimonious due to dismissing seven of the original 17 items and excluding the bowel pattern construct. Test-retest reliability demonstrates good stability for the Norwegian version, with an intra-class correlation coefficient of .90-.95 and weighted kappa of .39-.87 for single items.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the Norwegian version of ICIQ-B demonstrates good stability and content validity, the original constructs of bowel pattern and bowel control had to be adapted, whereas the construct of impact on QoL remained unchanged. Further psychometric testing of the Norwegian ICIQ-B's factor structure is therefore recommended.

OUP accepted manuscript

Background

External rectal prolapse is a relatively rare disease, in which male patients account for a minority. The selection of abdominal repair or perineal repair for male patients has rarely been investigated.

Methods

Fifty-one male patients receiving abdominal repair (laparoscopic ventral rectopexy) or perineal repair (Delorme or Altemeier procedures) at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University (Guangzhou, China) between March 2013 and September 2019 were retrospectively analysed. We compared the recurrence, complication rate, post-operative defecation disorder, length of stay, and quality of life between the abdominal and perineal groups.

Results

Of the 51 patients, 45 had a complete follow-up, with a median of 48.5 months (range, 22.8–101.8 months). A total of 35 patients were under age 40 years. The complication rate associated with abdominal repair was less than that associated with perineal repair (0% vs 20.7%, P = 0.031) and the recurrence rate was also lower (9.5% vs 41.7%, P = 0.018). Multivariate analysis showed that perineal repair (odds ratio, 9.827; 95% confidence interval, 1.296–74.50; P = 0.027) might be a risk factor for recurrence. Moreover, only perineal repair significantly improved post-operative constipation status (preoperative vs post-operative, 72.4% vs 25.0%, P = 0.001). There was no reported mortality in either of the groups. No patient's sexual function was affected by the surgery.

Conclusions

Both surgical approaches were safe in men. Compared with perineal repair, the complication rate and recurrence rate for abdominal repair were lower. However, perineal repair was better able to correct constipation.

Diagnostic approach to faecal incontinence: What test and when to perform?

Faecal incontinence (FI) is a debilitating common end result of several diseases affecting the quality of life and leading to patient disability, morbidity, and increased societal burden. Given the various causes of FI, it is important to assess and identify the underlying pathomechanisms. Several investigatory tools are available including high-resolution anorectal manometry, transrectal ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and electromyography. This review article provides an overview on the causes and pathophysiology of FI and the author’s perspective of the stepwise investigation of patients with FI based on the available literature. Overall, high-resolution anorectal manometry should be the first investigatory tool for FI, followed by either transrectal ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging for anal internal sphincter and external anal sphincter injury, respectively.

Chronic pelvic pain and rectal prolapse invite consideration of enterocele

AIM

Data on the pathogenesis and symptoms of enterocele are limited. The objectives of this study were to determine the clinical phenotype of patients with enterocele, to highlight the main functional and/or anatomical associations and to improve the accuracy of the preoperative assessment of pelvic floor disorders.

METHOD

A total of 588 patients who were referred to a tertiary unit for an anorectal complaint completed a self-administered questionnaire and underwent physical examination, anorectal manometry and defaecography. Using defaecography, enterocele was defined as a radiological hernia of the small bowel into an enlarged rectovaginal space. One hundred and thirty-five patients with enterocele were age- and gender-matched with 270 patients without enterocele. Factors associated with enterocele were assessed using univariate and multivariate analysis models.

RESULTS

Patients with enterocele were less frequently obese than patients without enterocele (8/135 vs 36/270; P = 0.02) and more frequently had a past history of pelvic surgery (51/135 vs 75/270; P = 0.04). They complained more frequently of pelvic pain on bearing down (29/135 vs 24/270; P = 0.003), anal procidentia (37/135 vs 46/270; P = 0.01) and more frequently had irritable bowel syndrome (83/135 vs 131/270; P = 0.01) and severe constipation according to the Kess score (104/135 vs 182/270; P = 0.04). Anorectal function was comparable between the two groups. Patients with enterocele had more frequent rectoceles and overt rectal prolapses than patients without enterocele.

CONCLUSIONS

Enterocele should be investigated in patients with chronic pelvic pain, overt rectal prolapse and/or a past history of pelvic surgery.

Acupuncture for fecal incontinence: Protocol for a systematic review and data mining

BACKGROUND

Fecal incontinence is a socially and emotionally destructive condition that has a negative impact on personal image, self-confidence, and quality of life. Acupuncture is commonly used to treat chronic conditions, including fecal incontinence. However, no relevant systematic review or meta-analysis has been designed to evaluate the effects of acupuncture on fecal incontinence.

METHODS

We will identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, PubMed, Springer, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, VIP Chinese Science and Technology Journals Database, Wanfang database, and clinical trial registration center from their inception to February 28, 2019. The primary outcome measures will be clinical effective rate, functional outcomes, and quality of life. Data that meets the inclusion criteria will be extracted and analyzed using RevMan V.5.3 software. Two reviewers will evaluate the studies using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool. Publication bias will be assessed by funnel plots, Egger test, and Begg test using the Stata software. Acupoints characteristics will be analyzed by Traditional Chinese Medicine inheritance support system.

RESULTS

This study will analyze the clinical effective rate, functional outcomes, quality of life, daily average number of fecal incontinence, and effective prescriptions of acupuncture for patients with fecal incontinence.

CONCLUSION

Our findings will provide evidence for the effectiveness and potential treatment prescriptions of acupuncture for patients with fecal incontinence.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

PROSPERO CRD42019119680.

A Modification of the Stapled TransAnal Rectal Resection (STARR) Procedure for Rectal Prolapse

PURPOSE

This study was designed to assess the safety, efficacy, and postoperative outcomes of the modified Stapled TransAnal Rectal Resection (modified STARR) in patients presenting with cases of limited external rectal prolapse.

METHODS

A prospective cohort of patients with mild rectal prolapse undergoing rectal resection with the Tissue-Selecting Technique Stapled TransAnal Rectal Resection Plus (TSTStarr Plus) stapler between February 2014 and September 2016 was reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

Twenty-five eligible patients underwent rectal resection with the TSTStarr Plus stapler. The median vertical height of the resected specimen was 5.0 cm (range = 3.1-10 cm) with all cases being confirmed histologically as full-thickness resections. Over a follow-up of 33.6 ± 9.4 months, only 1 case (4%) was encountered with recurrence. The mean postoperative Wexner score was significantly improved when compared with the preoperative scores (preoperative: median = 3, range = 0-20, vs postoperative: median = 2, range = 0-20, respectively; P = .010). The median preoperative Symptom Severity Score and Obstructed Defecation Score were both decreased compared with the postoperative scores ( P = .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Modified STARR in management of mild rectal prolapse appear to be a safe and effective technique. The initial results would encourage a more formal prospective assessment of this technique as part of a randomized trial for the management of mild rectal prolapse.

Radiological Changes After Resection Rectopexy in Patients with Rectal Prolapse-Influence on Clinical Symptoms and Quality of Life

BACKGROUND

Resection rectopexy is performed to correct the anatomic defect associated with rectal prolapse. The aim of the study was to determine whether the change in the radiological prolapse grade has an influence on patients' symptoms and quality of life.

METHODS

The study investigated 40 patients who underwent resection rectopexy for rectal prolapse. The following were determined before and after surgery: radiological prolapse grade, anorectal angle and pelvic floor position in defecography, clinical symptoms (Cleveland Clinic Incontinence and Constipation Scores, Kelly-Hohlschneider Score), quality of life.

RESULTS

Defecography revealed postoperative improvement in the prolapse grade and pelvic floor position (p < 0.05). The clinical symptoms and quality of life improved in both, the total population (n = 40) and in patients with improved radiological prolapse grade (n = 30): all clinical scores (p < 0.05), SF-36 (vitality, social role, mental health p < 0.05), and Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale (lifestyle, coping, embarrassment p < 0.05). Patients without improved radiological findings showed no change in their symptoms or quality of life.

CONCLUSION

Our study demonstrates that the radiological prolapse grade is improved by resection rectopexy. Correction of the anatomic defect was associated with improvement in symptoms and quality of life. Defecography may therefore be useful in the postoperative assessment of persistent symptoms or reduced quality of life.

Factors Associated with Fecal Incontinence in Women of Childbearing Age with Crohn's Disease

BACKGROUND

Fecal incontinence is common in women with Crohn's disease, but little is known about the impact of childbirth, perianal Crohn's disease, and past surgical history on fecal incontinence.

METHODS

Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to consecutive women referred to a tertiary gastroenterology centre with a focus on fecal incontinence and childbirth. These data were cross-referenced with a prospective database of the same patients' own Crohn's disease histories. Fecal incontinence was defined as a Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score ≥5. Factors associated with fecal incontinence were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 173 patients were assessed, including 113 parous women. The prevalence of fecal incontinence was 37.5% (95% CI, 30.7-45.0). The disease duration, a history of anal surgery for fistula, the number of childbirths per woman and Crohn's activity were all independently associated with fecal incontinence in a multivariate analysis model. Specifically, among the group of parous women, fecal incontinence was associated with prior abdominal surgery, prior anal surgery, and Crohn's activity. The mode of delivery was not statistically associated with fecal incontinence.

CONCLUSIONS

Fecal incontinence is a significant complaint in at least one-third of women of childbearing age with Crohn's disease. Patients'disease and treatment histories seem to have a comparable effect to their childbirth history concerning the presence of fecal incontinence. Both physicians and surgeons who are involved in the management of Crohn's disease need to keep this in mind.

Fecal incontinence - Challenges and solutions

Fecal incontinence is not a diagnosis but a frequent and debilitating common final pathway symptom resulting from numerous different causes. Incontinence not only impacts the patient’s self-esteem and quality of life but may result in significant secondary morbidity, disability, and cost. Treatment is difficult without any panacea and an individualized approach should be chosen that frequently combines different modalities. Several new technologies have been developed and their specific roles will have to be defined. The scope of this review is outline the evaluation and treatment of patients with fecal incontinence.

Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Medical Management of Rectal Prolapse

Full-thickness rectal prolapse, or procidentia, is the passage of the full-thickness wall of the rectum beyond the anal sphincters. This condition results in pain and fecal incontinence which greatly impairs the quality of life of those afflicted. It is associated with several anatomic abnormalities, including decreased anal sphincter tone, levator muscle diastasis, and a deep anterior cul-de-sac. The diagnosis of rectal prolapse is made based on physical examination, although several other modalities are used to provide additional information about the patients' condition. While medical management of rectal prolapse can be effective in some cases, the mainstay of management of rectal prolapse is surgical correction.

Quality of life after laparoscopic ventral rectopexy

AIM

This study evaluated continence, constipation and quality of life (QOL) before and after laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) METHOD: Between February 2012 and July 2014, patients who underwent LVR for external rectal prolapse (ERP) and/or rectoanal intussusception (RAI) were prospectively included. A standard questionnaire including the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI), the Constipation Scoring System (CSS) and QOL instruments (Short-Form 36 Health Survey, Fecal Incontinence QOL scale, Patient Assessment of Constipation-QOL) were administered before and after operation. Psychiatric patients and those with dementia were excluded from the study. Defaecography was performed 6 months postoperatively.

RESULTS

Fifty-nine patients were included in the study period and 44 (19 with ERP, 25 with RAI) completed the follow-up questionnaire and were reviewed after a median of 26 (range 12-42) months. There was no recurrent ERP. Postoperative defaecography showed new-onset RAI in 6 and persistent RAI in 1. One year after surgery, incontinence was improved in 30/39 patients (77%) and constipation in 19/32 (59%). The FISI scores reduced between preoperative status and 1 year after surgery [32 (13-61) vs 11 (0-33), P < 0.0001]. The CSS scores also reduced [preoperative 12 (5-18) vs 1 year 5 (1-12), P < 0.0001]. Compared with the preoperative scores, almost all of the scale scores on the three kinds of QOL instruments significantly improved over time. The presence of new-onset or persistent RAI did not have an adverse effect on the improvement of QOL.

CONCLUSION

LVR improves both generic and symptom-specific QOL with good functional results.

New-onset rectoanal intussusception may not result in symptomatic improvement after laparoscopic ventral rectopexy for external rectal prolapse

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to assess defecatory function in patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) for external rectal prolapse (ERP).

METHODS

Thirty-one patients who underwent evacuation proctography 6 months postoperatively were assessed. Preoperative proctography had been performed in 21 patients of these patients. Defecatory function was evaluated using the constipation scoring system (CSS) and fecal incontinence severity index (FISI).

RESULTS

The findings of postoperative proctography revealed no full-thickness ERP in any patient, although in 10 patients the ERP was replaced by rectoanal intussusception (RAI). Of the 31 patients, 30 presented with fecal incontinence preoperatively. Ten of 30 had new-onset RAI. Six months postoperatively, a reduction of at least 50 % in the FISI score of the patients with new-onset RAI tended to be significantly smaller than in the patients without RAI (6/10 vs. 18/20, p = 0.141). Seventeen patients presented with obstructed defecation preoperatively. Seven of them had new-onset RAI. Six months postoperatively, a reduction of at least 50 % in their CSS score in the patients with new-onset RAI was significantly smaller than in patients without RAI (0/7 vs. 8/10, p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

Evacuation proctography showed new-onset RAI in some patients with ERP who underwent LVR, which was associated with a lack of symptomatic improvement.