Preoperative Constipation Research Articles

Preoperative constipation is associated with poor prognosis of rectal cancer: a prospective cohort study

PurposeIt is unknown whether patients with advanced rectal cancer develop severe constipation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess whether constipation severity is associated with pathologic progression of rectal cancer.MethodsWe analyzed 472 patients with rectal cancer who underwent elective surgical resection between January 2005 and December 2010. Constipation severity was prospectively evaluated in 407 patients (86.2%) using the Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score System. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify clinicopathologic variables associated with constipation. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the prognostic value of constipation severity on disease-free and overall survival.ResultsMultivariable analysis showed that sex (regression coefficient [B] = 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 2.60; P < 0.001), body mass index (B = -0.95; 95% CI, -1.83 to -0.64; P = 0.036), tumor size (B = 1.04; 95% CI, 0.20 to 1.88; P = 0.016), T stage (B = 0.75; 95% CI, 0.23 to 1.27; P = 0.005), and distant metastasis (B = 1.16; 95% CI, 0.03 to 2.30; P = 0.045) were associated with constipation severity. Severe constipation (score ≥ 8) was independently associated with 3-year disease-free survival (vs. scores of 0-3; hazard ratio [HR], 2.39; 95% CI, 1.15 to 4.98; P = 0.020) and 5-year overall survival (HR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.23 to 4.30; P = 0.009) in multivariable analysis.ConclusionOur results suggest that preoperative constipation severity is associated with advanced pathologic stage and poor oncologic outcomes in patients with rectal cancer.

Laparoscopic Ventral Rectopexy for Internal Rectal Prolapse Using Biological Mesh: Postoperative and Short-Term Functional Results

BackgroundLaparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy is a novel procedure to correct internal and external rectal prolapse. Several authors have shown that this approach is safe and improves obstructive defaecation symptoms and faecal incontinence, without inducing new-onset constipation, possible after posterior rectopexy. Over the last decade, as for other procedures, biological meshes are used to correct pelvic floor disorders. Literature data are scant. In this study, we present our experience with this procedure using biological mesh. Patients and MethodsProspectively collected data on laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy for internal rectal prolapse were analysed. All patients underwent preoperative evaluation with defaecating proctography and/or pelvic dynamic MRI, full colonoscopy, anal physiology studies and endo-anal ultrasound. End-points were to evaluate surgical complications and functional results of this technique such as changes in bowel function (Wexner Constipation Score and Faecal Incontinence Severity Index) at 3 and 6 months. Analysis was performed using Mann–Whitney U test for unpaired data and Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired data (two-sided p test). ResultsThirty-four consecutive patients underwent laparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy (median age 59, range 25–78 years, mean follow-up was 12 months). Twenty-eight patients (82%) had a constipation score ≥5, while 14 (41%) a FISI score ≥10. Nine patients (26%) had mixed obstructed defaecation and faecal incontinence. One patient required conversion to open (3%). Median length of stay was 2 days. Overall complication rate was 23.5%. Preoperative constipation (median Wexner score 15) and faecal incontinence (median FISI score 12) improved significantly at 3 months (Wexner 5, FISI 5, both p < 0.001). Two patients experienced prolapse persistence or recurrence. No patients had function worsening or complained of sexual dysfunction. ConclusionsLaparoscopic ventral mesh rectopexy using biological mesh for internal rectal prolapse is safe and effective in ameliorating symptoms of obstructed defaecation and faecal incontinence.

Prolapsus rectal en questions

Before surgery, evaluation of the continence, bowel movements and rectal evacuation are mandatory. The perineal evaluation is really useful in its dynamic compounds but neither evaluation using fingers nor anorectal physiology gave predictive indicators of functional improvement after surgery. D’Hoore’s rectopexy seems to be increasingly preferred by surgeons because of low morbidity rates. However, evidence-based evaluation cannot validate this preferred approach. Laparoscopic or robotic guidance seems to be helpful for both patients’ recovery and surgeon’s dissection. The colonic resection associated with rectopexy is no more recommended even for patients with proven preoperative constipation. Transanal approaches may have confidential indications. Follow-up after surgery is useful because functional recovery remains somewhat uncertain.

The Altemeier Procedure for Rectal Prolapse: An Operation for All Ages

Perineal rectosigmoidectomy was the most popular operation performed for rectal prolapse in the first half of the 20th century. However, high recurrence rates relegated it to a back-up role for elderly or other high-risk patients who were not candidates for an abdominal operation. Recent series (combined with levatorplasty = Altemeier procedure) revealed excellent results across a broader spectrum of patients and inspired this ongoing consecutive series of cases. This is a review of 103 (99 women) consecutive patients (mean age, 68.9 y; range, 20-97 y) who underwent the Altemeier procedure between 2000 and 2009. Patients were placed in the prone jackknife position: 93 patients (90%) with the use of general anesthesia and 10 patients (10%) with the use of spinal anesthesia. The mean follow-up was 43 months (range, 3 mo to 10 y). The mean time for the operation was 97.7 minutes (range, 50-180 min) with a mean 7.2 cm of rectum resected (range, 2.5-26.7 cm). The mean blood loss was 66.9 mL (range, 0-350 mL). The mean time to tolerating a diet was 2.3 days (100% within 4 d) and mean postoperative length of hospital stay was 4.2 days (93% within 6 d). There was no mortality, minimal morbidity (14%), and no recurrence. Preoperative constipation (61% of patients) improved in 94% and preoperative fecal incontinence (47% of patients) improved in 85%, whereas 15% developed new onset of seepage or incontinence to flatus. The Altemeier procedure for rectal prolapse provided excellent results across all age groups with minimal morbidity, allowing for short hospital stays and periods of convalescence. To this point, there has been no evidence of recurrence in this group of patients, pending longer periods of follow-up, especially among patients from the younger age groups.

Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy for external rectal prolapse improves constipation and avoids de novo constipation

Abdominal rectopexy is ideal for otherwise healthy patients with rectal prolapse because of low recurrence, yet after posterior rectopexy, half of the patients complain of severe constipation. Resection mitigates this dysfunction but risks a pelvic anastomosis. The novel nerve-sparing ventral rectopexy appears to avoid postero-lateral rectal dissection denervation and thus postoperative constipation. We aimed to evaluate our functional results with laparoscopic ventral rectopexy. Consecutive rectal prolapse patients undergoing laparoscopic ventral rectopexy were prospectively assessed (Wexner Constipation and Faecal Incontinence Severity Index scores) pre-, 3 months postoperatively, and late (> 12 months). Sixty-five consecutive patients with external rectal prolapse (median age 72 years, 34% > 80 years, median follow up 19 months) underwent laparoscopic ventral rectopexy. There was one recurrence (2%) and one conversion. Morbidity (17%) and mortality (0%) were low. Median operating time was 140 min and median length of stay 2 days. At 3 months, constipation was improved in 72% and mildly induced in 2% (median pre-and postoperative Wexner scores 9 vs 4, P < 0.0001). Continence was improved in 83% and mild incontinence was induced or worsened in 5% (median pre- and postoperative incontinence score 40 vs 4, P < 0.0001). Significant improvement in both constipation and incontinence (P < 0.0001) remained at median 24 months late follow-up. Ventral rectopexy has a recurrent prolapse rate of < 5%, similar to that of posterior rectopexy. Its correction of preoperative constipation and avoidance of de novo constipation appear superior to historical functional results of posterior rectopexy. A laparoscopic approach allows low morbidity and short hospital stay, even in those patients over 80 years of age in whom a perineal approach is usually preferred for safety.

Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy for internal rectal prolapse: short‐term functional results

Over the last 15 years, posterior rectopexy, which causes rectal autonomic denervation, was discredited for internal rectal prolapse because of poor results. The condition became medical, managed largely by biofeedback. We aimed to audit the short-term functional results of autonomic nerve-sparing laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) for internal rectal prolapse. Prospectively collected data on LVR for internal rectal prolapse were analysed. End-points were changes in bowel function (Wexner Constipation Score and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index) at 3 and 12 months. Analysis was performed using Mann-Whitney U-test for unpaired data and Wilcoxon signed rank test for paired data (two-sided p-test). Functional outcomes were compared with those achieved previously for external rectal prolapse (ERP). Seventy-five patients underwent LVR (median age 58, range 25-88 years, median follow up was 12 months). Mortality (0%), major (0%) and minor morbidity (4%) were acceptably low. Median length of stay was 2 days. Preoperative constipation (median Wexner score 12) and faecal incontinence (median FISI score 28) improved significantly at 3 months (Wexner 4, FISI 8, both P < 0.0001) and 12 months (Wexner 5, FISI 8, both P < 0.0001). No patient had worse function. Functional outcomes were similar to those for ERP. Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy for internal rectal prolapse improves symptoms of obstructed defaecation and faecal incontinence in the short-term. This establishes proof of concept for a nerve-sparing surgical treatment for internal rectal prolapse.

Constipation in 44 patients implanted with an artificial bowel sphincter

Constipation with or without obstructed defecation (OD) is frequent in patients with artificial bowel sphincter (ABS). The aims of this study were (1) to evaluate the functional outcome of ABS based on postoperative constipation and (2) to assess pre-implantation data to predict post-implantation constipation. Thirteen men and 31 women were followed up. Both fecal incontinence and constipation with and without OD were assessed after implantation. Pre-implantation characteristics were compared in patients with and without postoperative constipation. After implantation, nine patients (20.4%) had constipation without OD, 16 patients (36.4%) had OD, and 19 patients (43.2%) had neither of these. Incontinence was significantly more frequent in patients with postoperative constipation with or without OD. In these patients, an increase in preoperative constipation, anismus, and ultraslow waves was noted. Constipation with and without OD is frequent after implantation and interfere with the functional outcome of ABS.

Surgical management of rectal prolapse

This article reviews the pathogenesis, clinical presentation and surgical management of rectal prolapse. Full-thickness prolapse of the rectum causes significant discomfort because of the sensation of the prolapse itself, the mucus that it secretes, and because it tends to stretch the anal sphincters and cause incontinence. Treatment of rectal prolapse is primarily surgical. Perineal surgical repairs are well tolerated, but are generally associated with higher recurrence rates. Abdominal repairs involve fixing the rectum to the sacrum by using either mesh or sutures, and tend to have the lowest recurrence rates. If significant preoperative constipation is present, a sigmoid resection can be performed at the time of rectopexy. For many patients, diarrhea and incontinence improve after surgery. Laparoscopic repair of rectal prolapse has similar morbidity and recurrence rates to open surgery, with attendant benefits of reduced length of hospital stay, postoperative pain and wound complications.

Long-Term Results of Delorme's Procedure and Orr-Loygue Rectopexy to Treat Complete Rectal Prolapse

The aim of this study was to assess long-term outcome of Orr-Loygue rectopexy and Delorme's procedures in total rectal prolapse management. Data were collected retrospectively from 1978 to 2001. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-squared test and Student's t -test. One hundred nine patients underwent either a Orr-Loygue rectopexy (49 patients) or a Delorme's procedure (60 patients). Mean follow-up was 88 (range, 1-300) months. In the rectopexy group, the overall complication rate and the recurrence rate were 33 percent and 4 percent, respectively. In patients with preoperative constipation, this symptom was improved or completely resolved in 33 percent and worsened in 58 percent postoperatively. Seventy-three percent of patients with preoperative incontinence were continent or had continence improvement postoperatively. In Delorme's group, overall complication and recurrence rates were 15 percent and 23 percent, respectively. Mortality was 7 percent. In patients with preoperative constipation, this symptom was improved or completely resolved in 54 percent and worsened in 12.5 percent of patients postoperatively. Forty-two percent of patients with preoperative incontinence were continent or had continence improvement postoperatively. In this study, Orr-Loygue rectopexy had a lower long-term recurrence rate. However, this surgical procedure is associated with a higher complication rate. We believe that Delorme's procedure is still a valuable option in selected patients with postoperative minimal morbidity but higher recurrence rate.

Early outcomes of laparoscopic procedures performed on military personnel with total rectal prolapse and follow-up.

Total rectal prolapse is a disorder frequently associated with constipation and anal incontinence. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of the complications, pain management, hospital stay, constipation, and anal functions of the patients undergoing 2 types of laparoscopic surgical approaches. In this study, 33 patients underwent either laparoscopic rectopexy or hand-assisted laparoscopic resection rectopexy. Preoperative colonic transit time, defecation, postoperative pain scoring, pre-postoperative evaluation of the anal function, and the changes in constipation and relating symptoms were assessed. Postoperative evaluation had been performed at the sixth week and the twelfth month. Median operation time was 137 minutes for rectopexy and 230 minutes for resection rectopexy group. Median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days for patients with rectopexy and 7 days for patients with resection rectopexy. Patients needed painkillers in short postoperative period for pain management in both groups. Continence was improved in 11 of 13 patients (84.6%) in a year after laparoscopic surgery. In 15 patients (45.5%), preoperative constipation either remained in the same or became worse in 7 (21.1%) in a year after surgery. No patient developed recurrence in the median follow-up period, which was about 15 months. Laparoscopic rectopexy and resection rectopexy in the young aged patients working the Army are carried out with less morbidity rate. We eliminated the total prolapse and cure incontinence in almost all patients. In addition to constipation was reduced by laparoscopic surgical approaches in a short time hospitalization with short time painkiller need.

Dynamic graciloplasty in the treatment of patients with faecal incontinence

Dynamic graciloplasty is a recent innovation in the surgical management of faecal incontinence. This study reports further experience with this procedure in a series of consecutive patients. Between July 1994 and February 1998, 21 dynamic graciloplasties were performed in 18 patients with total faecal incontinence. The two most recent patients were excluded because of follow-up less than 6 months. Continence scores and manometric data were collected before operation and 6 months afterwards. Subsequent clinical data were obtained at regular outpatient review. Seven patients had a three-stage procedure (vascular delay and stoma creation; gracilis transposition and implantation of stimulator and leads; stoma closure), four patients had a two-stage procedure (stoma, with transposition and implantation; stoma closure) and five underwent a one-stage procedure without defunctioning stoma. Mean(s.d.) follow-up was 20(10.2) months, and was complete in all patients. Eight of the 16 patients had postoperative morbidity. Thirty-three subsequent admissions and 23 reoperations were required to treat complications, to correct technical problems or to manage outcome failures. A defunctioning stoma did not protect wounds from infection (P = 0.6) or reduce the postoperative morbidity rate (P = 0.14). Continence scores were improved by the procedure (P < 0.001) and anal canal pressure increased with stimulation (mean increase 35.9 cmHO, P < 0.001). Two patients required revisional surgery for perielectrode fibrosis. Five patients had revisional surgery for electrical device failure. Thirteen of the 16 patients were either improved or fully continent after operation, and satisfied with the result of the procedure. Ultimate failure (n = 3) occurred in patients with chronic preoperative constipation or diarrhoea, or abnormal rectal sensitivity. Dynamic graciloplasty is an effective procedure in selected cases of end-stage faecal incontinence. Patient motivation is essential given the necessity for close follow-up.

Circular stapling procedure for mucosal prolapse of the rectum associated with outlet obstruction.

The aim of this study was designed to investigate the outcome from using the new circular stapling device in the surgical treatment for mucosal prolapse of the rectum associated with outlet obstruction. The treatment consisted of resection of the mucosal prolapse through a transverse incision and resecting a suitable part of the mucosa between the rectum and the anal canal, using an HCS33 circular stapler. Eleven patients successfully underwent this operation without morbidity or mortality, and were assessed clinically and by rectoanal manometry and defecography pre- and post-operation. The mean operating time was 39 (range 22-49) min. The postoperative proctalgia and complications were mild, and the patients were discharged at 4 days after the operation. The pre-operative constipation was improved, and the patient's satisfaction was increased at one month after operation in comparison with the preoperative level. Rectoanal function test at 6 months after the operation demonstrated normalization of the maximum resting and squeezing pressures of the anal canal and rectal compliance to the normal levels. No patient has had recurrence of symptoms during the follow-up period. Our data suggest that this procedure may be a useful surgical treatment, as it causes little postoperative complication and enables early discharge of the patients. However, long-term outcomes of recurrence, continence, and constipation need to be evaluated in a more extended follow-up.

Horseshoe-Shaped Marlex Mesh for the Treatment of Pelvic Floor Prolapse

Objective: Pelvic prolapse results from weakness or damage to the normal pelvic-support systems. The main support for the pelvic viscera is provided by the pelvic fascia, which is naturally reinforced by urethra-pelvic ligaments, cardinal ligaments and uterosacral ligaments. A polypropylene mesh (Marlex-Bard) was used as a genitourinary and rectal support in order to substitute the damaged pelvic fascia. Methods: Sixteen consecutive females suffering from severe genitourinary prolapse entered the study. Using the HWS (Baden-Walker) classification 10 patients presented a grade-IV and 6 patients a grade-III cystocele, 7 patients a grade-III and 1 a grade-IV rectocele. Hysterocele of grade IV was present in 2 patients and in 5 patients grade III. No enterocele was present at the pre-operative visit. Twelve patients suffered from stress incontinence; one had obstructive urinary symptoms with postvoiding residual urine of >200 ml. All patients underwent urodynamic tests and pre-operative cystography. The primary aim was prolapse reduction and continence. The operation, under general anesthesia, consisted of insertion and fixation of a horseshoe-shaped Marlex mesh between pubis and sacrum to close the area between the pelvic viscera and inferior pelvic hiatus. Three patients underwent hysterectomy. Results and Conclusions: The follow-up ranged between 12 and 29 months. In 15 patients the prolapse was completely resolved and 13 were dry at follow-up. One patient presented a complete recurrence at the 3-month follow-up. Nine cases of pre-operative constipation were recovered after surgery. This technique seems to give promising results in the repair of genitourinary prolapse and stress incontinence.