The patient perspective on transanal irrigation treatment for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery - a qualitative and quantitative study
Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to explore long-term experiences of transanal irrigation (TAI) in patients with major low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Methods The study included a qualitative and quantitative analysis of patients who developed major LARS after rectal cancer surgery...
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BMC
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMC Gastroenterology |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-03633-4 |
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| author | Boglarka Rethy Anna Schandl Caroline Nordenvall Gabriella Jansson Palmer Charlotta Bergström Maria Williamson Emil Pieniowski Asif Johar Pernilla Lagergren Mirna Abraham-Nordling |
| author_facet | Boglarka Rethy Anna Schandl Caroline Nordenvall Gabriella Jansson Palmer Charlotta Bergström Maria Williamson Emil Pieniowski Asif Johar Pernilla Lagergren Mirna Abraham-Nordling |
| author_sort | Boglarka Rethy |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Purpose The aim of the study was to explore long-term experiences of transanal irrigation (TAI) in patients with major low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Methods The study included a qualitative and quantitative analysis of patients who developed major LARS after rectal cancer surgery between 2016 and 2019 and have undergone treatment with TAI. The patients received questionnaires. Mean scores were calculated with time-to-deterioration. Individual semi-structured interviews were performed and analyzed, according to Graneheim and Lundman with patients who performed TAI regularly for more than one year. Results In total 28 out of 39 patients responded to the questionnaires and 16 patients participated in the interviews. At mean 6-years follow-up, a 9.4 points difference in mean LARS score was obtained, (21.2 vs. 30.7) indicating less LARS symptoms in favor of the TAI treatment. Patients in the TAI group used less loperamide compared to the control group (36% vs. 79%). The use of bulky agents was similar. The interview text rendered into three main categories: regaining control in everyday life, need for structure and planning and becoming familiar with the procedure. Conclusions Treatment with TAI showed the potential to improve the quality of life of patients with major LARS. The improvements in their general well-being were valued over adjustments and time spent on TAI. Implications for cancer survivors Bowel dysfunction remains after 6-years with lower LARS scores favoring the TAI treatment. In the absence of a definitive treatment, survivors of rectal cancer coping with LARS have shown appreciation of the TAI treatment. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0e97a09e2111469db65ccbb91931fc6e |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1471-230X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Gastroenterology |
| spelling | doaj-art-0e97a09e2111469db65ccbb91931fc6e2025-02-09T12:39:31ZengBMCBMC Gastroenterology1471-230X2025-02-0125111010.1186/s12876-025-03633-4The patient perspective on transanal irrigation treatment for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery - a qualitative and quantitative studyBoglarka Rethy0Anna Schandl1Caroline Nordenvall2Gabriella Jansson Palmer3Charlotta Bergström4Maria Williamson5Emil Pieniowski6Asif Johar7Pernilla Lagergren8Mirna Abraham-Nordling9Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Perioperative- and Intensive Care, South General HospitalDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Surgery and Urology, Danderyd HospitalDepartment of Surgery and Urology, Danderyd HospitalDepartment of Surgery, South General HospitalDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska InstitutetDepartment of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Karolinska InstitutetAbstract Purpose The aim of the study was to explore long-term experiences of transanal irrigation (TAI) in patients with major low anterior resection syndrome (LARS). Methods The study included a qualitative and quantitative analysis of patients who developed major LARS after rectal cancer surgery between 2016 and 2019 and have undergone treatment with TAI. The patients received questionnaires. Mean scores were calculated with time-to-deterioration. Individual semi-structured interviews were performed and analyzed, according to Graneheim and Lundman with patients who performed TAI regularly for more than one year. Results In total 28 out of 39 patients responded to the questionnaires and 16 patients participated in the interviews. At mean 6-years follow-up, a 9.4 points difference in mean LARS score was obtained, (21.2 vs. 30.7) indicating less LARS symptoms in favor of the TAI treatment. Patients in the TAI group used less loperamide compared to the control group (36% vs. 79%). The use of bulky agents was similar. The interview text rendered into three main categories: regaining control in everyday life, need for structure and planning and becoming familiar with the procedure. Conclusions Treatment with TAI showed the potential to improve the quality of life of patients with major LARS. The improvements in their general well-being were valued over adjustments and time spent on TAI. Implications for cancer survivors Bowel dysfunction remains after 6-years with lower LARS scores favoring the TAI treatment. In the absence of a definitive treatment, survivors of rectal cancer coping with LARS have shown appreciation of the TAI treatment.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-03633-4Cancer survivorshipBowel dysfunctionFollow-upPatient experience |
| spellingShingle | Boglarka Rethy Anna Schandl Caroline Nordenvall Gabriella Jansson Palmer Charlotta Bergström Maria Williamson Emil Pieniowski Asif Johar Pernilla Lagergren Mirna Abraham-Nordling The patient perspective on transanal irrigation treatment for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery - a qualitative and quantitative study BMC Gastroenterology Cancer survivorship Bowel dysfunction Follow-up Patient experience |
| title | The patient perspective on transanal irrigation treatment for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery - a qualitative and quantitative study |
| title_full | The patient perspective on transanal irrigation treatment for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery - a qualitative and quantitative study |
| title_fullStr | The patient perspective on transanal irrigation treatment for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery - a qualitative and quantitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | The patient perspective on transanal irrigation treatment for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery - a qualitative and quantitative study |
| title_short | The patient perspective on transanal irrigation treatment for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery - a qualitative and quantitative study |
| title_sort | patient perspective on transanal irrigation treatment for low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer surgery a qualitative and quantitative study |
| topic | Cancer survivorship Bowel dysfunction Follow-up Patient experience |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12876-025-03633-4 |
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