Stapled Trans-Anal Rectal Resection (STARR) for Obstructive Defecation Syndrome—Functional Outcome and Quality of Life after Two Years

Background: Stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) has been shown to improve patients’ functional and quality of life outcomes in several studies. Although it is a safe and effective treatment for obstructive defecation syndrome, still data on long-term follow-up are missing. Methods: From January 2010 to July 2014, 46 consecutive patients undergoing STARR using the CONTOUR® TRANSTAR™ device, shortly named TRANSTAR (transanal stapler assisted resection), were prospectively followed. Recurrence rate, quality of life (Patient Assessment of Constipation-Quality of Life (PAC-Qol)) and complication were documented at baseline, 12 and 24 months after operation. Two subgroups of patients were compared to assess the impact of resection length on outcome. Results: We included 46 patients (89% female) in the study. The mean age was 65 ± 16 years and the duration of the operation was 48 ± 4 min. Total PAC-QoL score improved from 2.0 (SD 0.3) to 0.9 (1.4) after 12 months, but deteriorated to 1.2 (0.3) after 24 months (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Complications were noted in 7% of the patients: Urinary retention (2 patients), postoperative bleeding (1 patient). No major complications or mortality were seen. After one year, we had one prolapse recurrence and after 24 month we had another. There was no significant relation between the length of the specimen and the improvement of life quality. Conclusions: The STARR procedure seems to be a safe and fast therapeutic option for patients with ODS and/or rectal prolapse. It is a tailored transanal full-thickness rectal resection improving the patients’ quality of life still two years after the operation.