Renato Pietroletti, Sergio Leardi*, Marika Mascio*, Antonio Giuliani*, Felice Patacchiola**, Gaspare Carta§,
Gianfranco Amicucci*
U.O.S.D. Chirurgia Proctologica Universitaria Osp. Val Vibrata, Sant’Omero – Teramo
*U.O.C. Chirurgia Generale Universitaria, Osp S.Salvatore – L’Aquila
**U.O.C. Ostetricia e Ginecologia Universitaria, Osp Val Vibrata, Sant’Omero – Teramo
§U.O.C. Ostetricia e Ginecologia Universitaria Osp S.Salvatore – L’Aquila
Introduction. Obstructed defecation is a newly acquired syndrome occurring mainly in western countries and in middle aged woman. Two
types of obstructive mechanisms underline this syndrome: the first is typically functional, i.e. non relaxing puborectal; the second is purely anatomical
with the presence of a bulging rectocele and/or rectoanal intussusception (1). However both mechanisms do occur in a not negligible percentage of patients
(2). In the last 15 years, a great attention has been posed on obstructed defecation due to a large increase of patients’ claim on this invalidating disturbance,
the availability of new diagnostic methods (defecography, defeco-MR, Endorectal Ultrasound, clinical scores) and finally to the development of dedicated
surgical tools (staplers) (3). In the common experience of colorectal surgeons, two historical periods can be individuated; the first, up to the end of
the nineties and the second starting from the 2000s, when the large diffusion of the knowledge of the obstructed defecation and the availability of new
technologies made possible the identification and successful treatment of a large amount of patients. On the basis of our experience matured between 1990
and 2014, we aimed to compare patients affected by obstructed defecation in two historical periods, namely 1990-99 and 2000-14, with respect to epidemiological,
clinical and treatment issues.
Materials and Methods. In the period 1990-99 out of 5532 patients observed in the outpatient clinic of coloproctology, constipation
was reported by 353 cases that is 6.5%. Among these, 39 females and 19 males complained of obstructed defecation symptoms (16.4%). Features of solitary
rectal ulcer syndrome were reported in 15.5% of these patients. During the period 2000-14, 11152 patients were observed in the coloproctology clinic and
760 of these complained of constipation (6.8%). 194 were classified as affected by obstructed defecation (25.5%). In the first period, patients were
assessed mainly by means of clinical symptoms and defecography, whereas in the second period clinical scores (4) and defecography contributed to the diagnosis.
Endoscopy and functional sphincter studies as well as endoanal ultrasound were not performed routinely, but strictly on the basis of specific clinical
indications.
Results. During the years 1990-99, our approach to obstructed defecation, was mainly conservative (diet, bulk laxatives). Surgical treatment
consisting in transanal suturing of rectocele according to Block’s procedure, was done in 11 cases (18.9%). In 12 patients (9 males) anterior mucosal
prolapse was treated by rubber banding. Improvement of symptoms was reported by 86% of patients treated conservatively. Results of Block procedure were
less satisfactory with mild recurrence of symptoms in 8 patients requiring further treatment, however by means of rubber banding of mucosal prolapse,
and 2 requiring stapled prolapsectomy, in recent years. In the period 2000-14, out of 194 patients, 61 underwent surgical treatment (30.5%). 52 were treated
with double stapling PPH (S.T.A.R.R. procedure), 4 with Trans S.T.A.R.R. and 5 with Block. 35 presented rectoanal intussusception, associated to a significant
rectocele in 26. Symptoms were characterized as follows: prolonged defecation time in 100%, frequent toilet visit in 61%, self-digitation in 35%, straining
in more than 50% of defecation in 36%. In addition, a mild fecal incontinence (gas, soiling), was reported by 62.7% of the patients. Mortality was nil
and morbidity was 3.2% (two cases of severe bleeding in the first 15 S.T.A.R.R. procedures). Results of surgical treatment were satisfactory as depicted
by the improvement of constipation score and constipation quality of life (Tab.1). Also symptoms of fecal incontinence, although mild, showed a sharp
improvement. Nine patients (14.7%) complained of a persistent urgency at long term follow up and judged poor their quality of life. Associated symptoms
regarded genital prolapse in 38% of the patients and urge urinary incontinence in 73%.
Conclusions. Our data clearly show the improvement of the global care in the field of obstructed defecation. Interestingly, from the
epidemiological point of view, patients reporting the symptom “constipation” , were observed with comparable incidence in both periods; however the percentage
of those complaining of obstructed defecation in the period 2000-14, was far higher than that observed in previous years (25.5 vs 16.4%). This data reflects
the improved attention paid by the physician to symptoms of obstructed defecation, coupled with an increased awareness of the patient about bowel habit.
The percentage of surgical treatment rose from 18.9% during the previous years to 30.5% in the period 2000-14, reflecting the new availability of safe
and effective surgical procedures, aimed at removing the outlet obstruction. It is unquestionable that the advent of PPH for the S.T.A.R.R and the dedicated
Contour Stapler for the Trans-S.T.A.R.R., with the right indications and adequate expertise, played a revolutionary role in the surgical treatment of
obstructed defecation. Indeed the results of surgical treatment between the two periods are not comparable, either in terms of incidence of surgery (18.9%
of patients vs 30.5%) and in terms of satisfactory results, as depicted in Tab. 1. Accordingly, rubber banding of anterior mucosal prolapse has disappeared
due to the overwhelming efficacy of stapled resection of internal prolapse. The amount of complications observed in the literature, also severe and life
threatening, is not negligible (5); this can be considered the drawback of the rapid diffusion of surgical instruments for the treatment of obstructed
defecation, employed too often without an adequate training and rigorous methodologic approach to the patient. Not rarely obstructive symptoms represent
the tip of the iceberg of more complex functional and anatomical alterations of the pelvic floor or, even worse, psychological and comportamental disturbances
(6). Our selective approach in such difficult patients, helped very much in keeping morbidity low (7). The adoption of scoring scales was a fundamental
tool as well; there are many multiple choice questionnaires, producing a scoring system that enables us in transforming subjective symptoms in figures.
This is of utmost importance since the value of the score gives from the start the impact of the disease on the patient’s life; in addition the comparison
of pre and postoperative scores helps us in the follow up of the patient. In conclusion, the contemporary approach to the obstructed defecation syndrome
requires a dedicated team of specialists for the surgical treatment, also involving uro-gynecologist, looking carefully at the role of rehabilitation
that is fundamental in improving results of surgery.
References.
TABLE
Table 1 Patient assessment of constipation related quality of life
PRE-OP POST-OP
CONSTIPATION SCORE (0-30) 26.3 4.5 P<0.001
SATISFACTION SCALE (4-16) 14.1 5.2 P<0.002
Higher values worse constipation and poorer QoL