Abstract
Anal function after low anterior resection was studied by means of a questionnaire and colorectal manometry in 103 patients who had been operated on for rectal cancer for more than 1 year. The patients were categorized into two groups: Rb group (48 patients) where the colorectal anastomosis was found 6 cm or less from the anal verge and Rs·Ra group (55 patients) where the anastomosis situated more than 6 cm above the anal verge. More of the Rb patients complained of frequent defecation, loose stool or soiling than those of the Rs·Rb patients. Generally, these complaints were closely correlated, especially in the Rb group, to deranagements (abnormalities) of resting canal pressure and/or amplitude and frequency of bowel contractions registered above the anastomosis. However, some patients were desperately discontented with their new bowel habit despite of their excellent manometric results. For these patients, a special counceling based on their individual circumstances (age, personality, family, profession, social status and so on) seemed to be mandatory to improve their complaints. As a whole, very few of either Rb or Rs·Ra patients had significant problems with regard to daily life.
