Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Treatment of the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Anorectal Physiology

Abstract

Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a frequent and bothersome condition often occuring after restorative resection for rectal cancer. With increasing survival and higher rates of sphincter-preservation, knowledge regarding LARS is crucial for all colorectal surgeons and oncologists. Although LARS is now widely acknowledged, only a minority of patients worldwide receive proper diagnosis and treatment of their potentially devastating bowel dysfunction following cancer treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 99.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 129.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 199.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Juul T, Ahlberg M, Biondo S, et al. International validation of the low anterior resection syndrome score. Ann Surg. 2014;259(4):728–34. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0b013e31828fac0b.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Emmertsen KJ, Laurberg S. Impact of bowel dysfunction on quality of life after sphincter-preserving resection for rectal cancer. Br J Surg. 2013;100(10):1377–87. https://doi.org/10.1002/bjs.9223.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Battersby NJ, Bouliotis G, Emmertsen KJ, et al. Development and external validation of a nomogram and online tool to predict bowel dysfunction following restorative rectal cancer resection: the POLARS score. Gut. 2018;67(4):688–96. https://doi.org/10.1136/gutjnl-2016-312695.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Bastiaenen VP, Hovdenak Jakobsen I, Labianca R, et al. Consensus and controversies regarding follow-up after curative intent treatment of non-metastatic colorectal cancer: a synopsis of guidelines used in countries represented in ESCP. Color Dis. 2018:1–25. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.14503.

  5. Emmertsen KJ, Laurberg S. Low anterior resection syndrome score. Ann Surg. 2012;255(5):922–8. https://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0b013e31824f1c21.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Dulskas A, Smolskas E, Kildusiene I, Samalavicius NE. Treatment possibilities for low anterior resection syndrome: a review of the literature. Int J Color Dis. 2018;33(3):251–60. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-017-2954-x.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Bazzell A, Madsen LT, Dains J. Clinical management of Bowel dysfunction after low anterior resection for rectal cancer. J Adv Pract Oncol. 2016;7:618–29. https://doi.org/10.6004/jadpro.2016.7.6.4.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Ridolfi TJ, Berger N, Ludwig KA. Low anterior resection syndrome: current management and future directions. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(3):239–45. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0036-1584500.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Martellucci J. Low anterior resection syndrome: a treatment algorithm. Dis Colon Rectum. 2016;59(1):79–82. https://doi.org/10.1097/DCR.0000000000000495.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Sun V, Grant M, Wendel CS, et al. Dietary and behavioral adjustments to control bowel function by long-term colorectal cancer survivors. J Clin Oncol. 2014;32(3_suppl):573. https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2014.32.3_suppl.573.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Martellucci J, Sturiale A, Bergamini C, et al. Role of transanal irrigation in the treatment of anterior resection syndrome. Tech Coloproctol. 2018;22(7):519–27. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-018-1829-7.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Croese AD, Whiting S, Vangaveti VN, Ho YH. Using sacral nerve modulation to improve continence and quality of life in patients suffering from low anterior resection syndrome. ANZ J Surg. 2018;88(11):E787–91. https://doi.org/10.1111/ans.14871.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Sun V, Crane TE, Slack SD, et al. Rationale, development, and design of the Altering Intake, Managing Symptoms (AIMS) dietary intervention for bowel dysfunction in rectal cancer survivors. Contemp Clin Trials. 2018;68:61–6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cct.2018.03.010.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  14. McCutchan GM, Hughes D, Davies Z, et al. Acceptability and benefit of rectal irrigation in patients with low anterior resection syndrome: a qualitative study. Color Dis. 2018;20(3):O76–84. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.13985.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Trenti L, Biondo S, Noguerales F, et al. Outcomes of GatekeeperTM prosthesis implantation for the treatment of fecal incontinence: a multicenter observational study. Tech Coloproctol. 2017;21(12):963–70. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-017-1723-8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Eftaiha SM, Balachandran B, Marecik SJ, et al. Sacral nerve stimulation can be an effective treatment for low anterior resection syndrome. Color Dis. 2017;19(10):927–33. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.13701.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Mege D, Meurette G, Vitton V, et al. Sacral nerve stimulation can alleviate symptoms of bowel dysfunction after colorectal resections. Color Dis. 2017;19(8):756–63. https://doi.org/10.1111/codi.13624.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Itagaki R, Koda K, Yamazaki M, et al. Serotonin (5-HT3) receptor antagonists for the reduction of symptoms of low anterior resection syndrome. Clin Exp Gastroenterol. 2014;7(1):47–52. https://doi.org/10.2147/CEG.S55410.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark

    Soren Laurberg, Katrine J. Emmertsen, T. Juul, Hossam Elfeki & Peter Christensen

Authors
  1. Soren Laurberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Katrine J. Emmertsen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. T. Juul
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Hossam Elfeki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Peter Christensen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Soren Laurberg .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Director Department of Anorectal Physiology of Rio de Janeiro and CEPEMED, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

    Lucia Camara Castro Oliveira

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Laurberg, S., Emmertsen, K.J., Juul, T., Elfeki, H., Christensen, P. (2020). Treatment of the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome. In: Oliveira, L. (eds) Anorectal Physiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43811-1_33

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43811-1_33

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-43810-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-43811-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation