A survey of postoperative function after rectal anastomosis with circular stapling devices.

Seventy-five patients, who had previously undergone anterior resection or sigmoid colectomy using a circular stapling device, were interviewed and examined. Their postoperative bowel, sexual and bladder function was noted. 22 patients had anastomoses more than 10 cm from the anal verge (Group A); 32 between 5-10 cm (Group B); 21 below 5 cm (Group C). The lower anastomoses were associated with less perfect function but only 2 patients were incontinent. Some impairment of sexual function was noted in one-third of patients in Group B and one half of patients in Group C. Changes in bladder function were rare.