Monitoring Patients After Rectal Cancer Surgery
Author Information
Author(s): Planellas P., Fernandes-Montes N., Golda T., Alonso-Gonçalves S., Elorza G., Gil J., Kreisler E., Abad-Camacho M. R., Cornejo L., Marinello F.
Primary Institution: Colorectal Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Girona, Department of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine University Hospital of Girona, University of Girona, Girona Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBGI), Girona, Spain
Hypothesis
The study aims to evaluate the quality of functional follow-up and quality of life in patients with rectal cancer over two years following surgery.
Conclusion
There is a significant deficit in clinical follow-ups regarding the functional assessment of patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery.
Supporting Evidence
- Two years post-surgery, gastrointestinal evaluation was performed in 86% of patients.
- Only 46.4% of patients had their bowel movements recorded.
- 28.2% of patients were diagnosed with fecal incontinence.
- Only 0.8% of patients completed the Quality of Life questionnaire.
Takeaway
After surgery for rectal cancer, many patients don't get checked properly for problems like bowel or sexual issues, which can make their recovery harder.
Methodology
This multicentre, retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery between January 2016 and January 2020 at six tertiary Spanish hospitals.
Potential Biases
The study may be affected by the Hawthorne effect, where the presence of researchers influences the behavior of healthcare providers.
Limitations
The study's retrospective and non-randomised design and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient follow-up.
Participant Demographics
The study included 787 patients, with a median age of 67 years, comprising 67.9% men and 32.1% women.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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