Introduction: Genito-urinary disorders (GUD) for radical rectal cancer surgery range from 10 to 30%. In this study, primary endpoint is to prospectively assess their incidence in patients undergoing Laparoscopic Total Mesorectal Excision (LTME) without neoadjuvant chemo-radiation (NCR). Secondary endpoint is to detect the potential lesion site evaluating video-recordings of surgery.
Patients and methods: A study of 35 consecutive patients treated by LTME for extra-peritoneal rectal cancer not subjected to NCR, M:F = 23:12, median age 70, was evaluated preoperatively by Uroflowmetry and US postvoid residual urine measurement (PVR), International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS), and International Consultation on Incontinence Modular Questionnaire (ICIQ) at 1 and 9 months post-operatively. Evaluation of sexual function was carried out by International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) in males. Data were analyzed performing Fisher and paired samples t tests. Surgical videos of patients affected by GUD were reviewed to identify lesion sites.
Results: Urinary function:IPSS average score: baseline 6.03 ± 5.51, 8.93 ± 6.42 (p = .005) at 1 month, and 7.26 ± 5.55 (p = .041) at 9 months. ICIQ baseline 2.67 ± 5.42, 4.27 ± 6.19 (p = NS) at 1 month, and 3.63 ± 5.23 (p = NS) at 9 months. Maximum urine flow rate baseline 15.95 ± 4.78 ml/s, 14.23 ± 5.27 after 1 month (p = .041), and 15.22 ± 4.01 after 9 months (p = NS). Mean urine flow rate baseline 9.15 ± 2.96 ml/s, 7.99 ± 4.12 ml/s at 1 month (p = .044), and 8.54 ± 4.19 ml/s at 9 months (p = NS). PVR baseline 59.62 ± 54.49, 64.59 ± 58.71 (p = NS) at 1 month, and 68.82 ± 77.72 (p = NS) at 9 months. Sexual function: IIEF baseline 19.38 ± 6.25, 14.06 ± 8.65 at 1 month (p = .011), and 15.4 ± 8.41 at 9 months, (p = NS). Video review of patients with disorders showed potential damage at the site of ligation of IMA (high hypogastric plexus) in 1 case, lateral and posterior mesorectum dissection (hypogastric nerves) in 2 cases, anterior dissection of the Denonvilliers fascia from seminal vesicles in 2 cases.
Conclusions: GUD at 1 month from LTME for rectal cancer are significant but improve at 9 months. Surgical video review of patients with GUD provides an important tool for detection of lesion sites.