Treatment of "Low Anterior Resection Syndrome" by Percutaneous Nerve Evaluation and Transanal Irrigation

Treatment of "Low Anterior Resection Syndrome" by Percutaneous Nerve Evaluation and Transanal Irrigation. A Randomized Cross Over Study.

A randomised trial testing the effect of percutaneous nerve evaluation and transanal irrigation on bowel function in patients after low anterior resection for rectal cancer.

Patients will undergo anal physiological assessment and will then be randomized to either treatment arm. The first 12 weeks they will be optimized in the conservative treatment of their bowel function before beginning active treatment with TAI or PNE. After 8 and 4 weeks respectively, the treatment will stop and they will have a period of 4 weeks back on optimized conservative treatment before beginning active treatment in the other active arm.

Detailed records of bowel, micturition and sexual function and QoL will be obtained at regular intervals during the entire trial fase.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Low anterior resection for rectal cancer between May 2001 and May 2011

Exclusion Criteria:

• Non-radical resection
• metastatic disease
• Chemotherapy
• Radiotherapy
• Previously treated for another cancer
• Dementia or other mental retardation/severe mental disease
• Inability to read and understand the Danish language
• Recurrent disease