Surgical Management by Disk Excision or Rectal Resection of Low Rectal Endometriosis and Risk of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome: A Retrospective Comparative Study.

Study Objective: To assess the risk of low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) between women managed by either disk excision or rectal resection for low rectal endometriosis.

Design: Retrospective study of a prospective database.

Setting: University hospital.

Patients: One hundred seventy-two patients managed by disk excision or rectal resection for deep endometriosis infiltrating the rectum <7 cm from the anal verge.

Interventions: Rectal disk excision and/or segmental resection using transanal staplers.

Measurements And Main Results: One hundred eight patients (62.8%) were treated by disk excision (group D) and 64 (37.2%) by rectal resection (group R). All patients answered the LARS score questionnaire. Follow-up was 33.3 ± 22 months for group D (range 12-108 months) and 37.3 ± 22.1 months (range 12-96 months) for group R (p = .25). The rates of rectovaginal fistula and pelvis abscess requiring radiologic drainage and surgery in the D and R groups were, respectively, 7.4% and 8.3% vs 7.8% and 9.3%. The rate of women with normal bowel movements postoperatively was higher in group D (61.1% vs 42.8%, p = .05). Women enrolled in group R reported higher frequency of stools (p <.001), clustering of stools (p = .02), and fecal urgency (p = .05). Regression logistic model revealed 2 independent risk factors for minor/major LARS: performing low rectal resection (adjusted odds ratio 2.28; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-4.7) and presenting with bladder atony requiring self-catheterization beyond postoperative day 7 (adjusted odds ratio 2.52; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-5.8).

Conclusion: The probability of normal bowel movements is higher after disk excision than after low rectal resection in women with deep endometriosis infiltrating the low rectum.