Stapled trans-anal rectal resection (STARR) by a new dedicated device for the surgical treatment of obstructed defaecation syndrome caused by rectal intussusception and rectocele: early results of a multicenter prospective study

Background and aim Obstructed defaecation syndrome (ODS) represents a very common clinical problem. The aim of the this prospective multicenter study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of stapler trans-anal rectal resection (STARR) performed by a new dedicated device, CCS-30 Contour Transtar, in patients with ODS caused by rectal intussusception (RI) and/or rectocele (RE). Materials and methods All the patients who underwent STARR for ODS caused by RI and/or RE at Colorectal Surgery Units of S. Stefano Hospital, Naples, Gepos Hospital, Telese, Benevento and S. Maria della Pieta Hospital, Casoria, Naples, Italy were prospectively introduced into a database. Preoperatively, all the patients underwent anorectal manometry and cinedefecography. The grade of ODS was assessed using a dedicated obstructed defaecation syndrome score (ODS-S). All the patients with a ODS-S >= 12 and RI and/or RE were enrolled. Patients were followed up clinically at 6 months. Results Thirty patients, 28 (93.3%) women, mean age 56.6 +/- 12.7 years, underwent STARR, by Transtar, between February and October 2006. Preoperatively, ODS-S was 15.8 +/- 2.4. RI was present in 26 (89.6%) and RE (34.4 +/- 15.2 mm) in 27 (93.1%) patients. No major postoperative complications occurred. The length of hospital stay was 2.5 +/- 0.6 days. At 6-month follow-up, ODS-S was 5.0 +/- 2.3 (P<0.001). Successful outcome was achieved in 25 (86.2%) patients. Conclusion STARR, performed by the new dedicated device, CCS-30 Contour Transtar, seems to be an effective and safe procedure to treat ODS caused by RE and/or RI. A longer follow-up and a larger number of patients is needed to confirm these results.