Causes and Prevention of Functional Disturbances Following Low Anterior Resection for Rectal Cancer

Postoperative Bowel Function After Anal Sphincter-Preserving Rectal Cancer Surgery: Risks Factors, Diagnostic Modalities, and Management

“…Anal continence is caused by several continence factors, including anatomical and physiological substrates, the rectum with its reservoir function, the anal sphincter muscle, the anoderm, and neurological functions at local spinal and cerebral levels [6]. Surgical treatment can change the structure and the physiology of the anorectum, leading to functional problems.…”

“…Risk factors for LARS include a rectal tumor, the location of the tumor, surgery-related damage, and preoperative chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Huge tumors with the capacity to invade neural structures can result in nerve damage [6]. A low level of tumor location, i.e., a low level of anastomosis, has been identified as a major risk factor for developing LARS [7].…”

“…The anal sphincter may be damaged directly due to anal stretching when the circular stapler is introduced into the anal canal. In a study by Gross [6], intraoperative measurement of the resting anal pressure at each step of the surgery during a LAR showed that resting anal pressure levels were significantly decreased only after stapling.…”