Sequential assessment of bowel function and anorectal physiology after anterior resection for cancer: a prospective cohort study

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate changes in bowel function and anorectal physiology (ARP) after anterior resection for colorectal cancer. Method Patients were recruited from November 2006 September 2008. Cleveland Clinic Incontinence (CCI) scores stool frequency determined by patient questionnaires before surgery (t0) at three (t3), six (t6), nine (t9) 12 (t12) months restoration intestinal continuity. ARP measurements recorded T0, T3 T12. Endoanal ultrasound performed T0 Results Eighty-nine patients included. CCI score increased postoperatively then normalized, whereas did not change. who had neoadjuvant radiotherapy or a lower anastomosis incontinence the postoperative period, those with defunctioning stomas open alone. Maximum resting pressure, volume first urge maximum rectal tolerance reduced throughout period. Radiotherapy, stoma (but operative approach) altered manometric parameters postoperatively. correlated frequency. length internal anal sphincter decreased Conclusions recovers year resection. anastomosis, have negative influence on function. may be useful if dysfunction persists beyond months.