To address the lack of a standardized approach for the management of LARS, a bowel management program, called BOREAL, was developed and evaluated in this study, aiming to highlight the acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness of timely assessment and treatment of LARS.
Low anterior resection is a common after sphincter-preserving, rectal cancer surgery and can contribute to long-term bowel dysfunction with a profound impact on patients' quality of life (QoL). Treatments consist of a combination of lifestyle, pharmacological and interventional strategies, with varying efficacy and are often implemented once symptoms appears.
To address the lack of a standardized approach for the management of LARS, a bowel management program – BOREAL – was developed and evaluated in this study. It consists of a series of stepwise, evidence-based and practice-based measures aimed at improving LARS symptoms based on continuous postoperative assessment of LARS scores over a 12-month period. Treatments in the stepwise program were:
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- Anti-diarrheal drugs
- Dietary advice
- Bulking agents
- Enemas
- Pelvic floor physiotherapy
- Biofeedback
- Transanal irrigation (TAI)
- Sacral neuromodulation
- Percutaneous endoscopic cecostomy
- Antegrade enema and colostomy
Functional outcomes were assessed with the LARS score and Wexner fecal incontinence scores at 6 specific time points after surgery; depending on result of the scores, treatment was decided.'
At the first assessment 30 days after surgery the functional outcome were:
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- LARS score - 14% minor LARS, 48% major LARS
- Wexner fecal incontinence score - 59% scored higher than 4
After 12 months in the BOREAL program:
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- LARS score - 6% minor LARS, 12% major LARS
- Wexner fecal incontinence score - 22% scored higher than 4
During the program most of the patients did not have to progress from the first step and adherence to the program was good.
Functional outcomes improved and the median time to achieve good functional outcome were reduced for patients that followed the program compared to patients not completing the program.
In conclusion, the BOREAL program provides a structured approach to patient assessment and treatment for LARS. Compliance to the program improved functional outcome and a stepwise program is a feasible and effective way to detect and treat LARS.
