| Theme | Current Topics Relating to the Anus | |
|---|---|---|
| Title | Evaluation of Postoperative Functions after Anus Preserving Procedures for Low Rectal Cancer | |
| Publish Date | 2010/01 | |
| Author | Masaaki Ito | Department of Colorectal & Pelvic Surgery, National Cancer Hospital East |
| Author | Norio Saito | Department of Colorectal & Pelvic Surgery, National Cancer Hospital East |
| [ Summary ] | The number of anus preserving operations for low rectal cancer has increased in recent years because of improved surgical techniques and the advent of intersphincteric resection. Postoperative anal functions should be evaluated not only from the point of patients' symptoms but in relation to objective data obtained with manometric measurements. Scoring systems to objectively evaluate anal functions such as the Wexner score are useful to assess changes in functions over time and to compare differences in function achieved at various hospitals. Based on this scoring system, male, total resection of the intersphincter region and preoperative chemoradiation therapy have been found to be associated with poor postoperative anal functions after ISR. Manometric studies have shown that patients with resting pressures under 50cmH2O after ISR may often suffer from postoperative incontinence. | |