Functional Lumial Imaging Probe (ENDO-FLIP) for Assessment of Continence after Abdomino-Perineal Resection for Carcinoma of the Rectum Patients

Abstract

AbstractBackground: Twenty per cent of patients with carcinoma of the rectum are surgically treated with Abdomino-perineal Resection even after the recent advances in surgical techniques and the introduction of staplers. Permanent iliac Colostomy impairs the quality of life of patients after APR which raised the issue for creation of Perineal colostomy as a method of total Perineal reconstruction after APR. Which later raised the issue of objective Assessment of function as regards Continence of these patients.Aim of the Study: This work is aiming at assessment of degree of Continence of patients suffering carcinoma of the rectum previously treated with APR followed by TPR and Perineal colostomy. An objective Assessment using the Endo-FLIP was used in addition to their subjective assessment.Material and Methods: Twenty patients with low rectal cancer previously treated with APR followed by a perineal colostomy were included. Patients were objectively evaluated using the Endo-FLIP system with correlation to their quality after life as regards continece.Results: Considerable degree of distensibility was noted during coughing with a mean of 22.1mm at the proximal segment of the colon versus 11.2 at the neo-sphincter level. Our patients were as well able to evacuate the catheter volun-tarily with a mean of 3.2 seconds.Conclusion: In conclusion, this new technique proved to be valuable in improving the QOL of patients with rectal cancer after APR. The procedure achieved 94% patient satis-faction.