[Functional impairment and quality of life after rectal cancer surgery].

OBJECTIVE

This study determines the quality of life and the anorectal function of these patients.

METHOD: Observational study of two cohorts comparing patients undergoing rectal tumor surgery using TaETM or conventional ETM after a minimum of six months of intestinal transit reconstruction. EORTC-30, EORTC-29 quality of life questionnaires and the anorectal function assessment questionnaire (LARS score) are applied. General variables are also collected.

RESULTS

31 patients between 2011 and 2014: 15 ETM group and 16 TaETM. We do not find statistically significant differences in quality of life questionnaires or in anorectal function. Statistically significant general variables: longer surgical time in the TaETM group. Nosocomial infection and minor suture failure in the TaETM group.

CONCLUSION

The performance of TaETM achieves the same results in terms of quality of life and anorectal function as conventional ETM.