Low Anterior Resection Syndrome: Current Management and Future Directions. Clin Colon Rectal Surg 2016 Sep;29(3):239-45
Date
09/02/2016Pubmed ID
27582649Pubmed Central ID
PMC4991969DOI
10.1055/s-0036-1584500Scopus ID
2-s2.0-84983077447 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 52 CitationsAbstract
Outcomes for rectal cancer surgery have improved significantly over the past 20 years with increasing rates of survival and recurrence, specifically local recurrence. These gains have been realized during a period of time in which there has been an increasing emphasis on sphincter preservation. As we have become increasingly aggressive in avoiding resection of the anus, we have begun accepting bowel dysfunction as a normal outcome. Low anterior resection syndrome, defined as a constellation of symptoms including incontinence, frequency, urgency, or feelings of incomplete emptying, has a significant impact on quality of life and results in many patients opting for a permanent colostomy to avoid these symptoms. In this article, we will highlight the most recent clinical and basic science research on this topic and discuss areas of future investigation.
Author List
Ridolfi TJ, Berger N, Ludwig KAAuthors
Kirk A. Ludwig MD Chief, Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of WisconsinTimothy J. Ridolfi MD, MS, FACS Associate Professor in the Surgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
