Peri-operative management of patients having external anal sphincter repairs: temporary prevention of defaecation does not improve outcomes.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether there was any detectable difference in outcomes of external anal sphincter repair depending on whether patients were managed routinely with a covering stoma, a constipating dietary regimen or a laxative dietary regimen in the early postoperative period.


METHODS
A consecutive retrospective series of 299 anal sphincter repairs undertaken on 286 patients within a single institution was studied. Patients were divided into three groups depending on the peri-operative regimen followed: routine use of a covering stoma (group 1), routine use of a postoperative constipating dietary regimen (group 2) and routine use of a laxative dietary regimen (group 3). Choice of peri-operative regimen depended on surgeon preference alone. Short-term outcomes (length of stay, complications) and long-term outcomes (functional reported degree of continence, anal ultrasound and physiology test results) were assessed in relation to peri-operative group as well as aetiology of sphincter damage.


RESULTS
Short-term results (complications of surgery) were obtainable in all patients; long-term results were available for 89% of patients. Length of stay was similar for all 3 groups (excluding re-admission for stoma closure). Complication rates were not significantly different between the three groups. Functional improvement in continence was reported by 68% of group 1, 69% of group 2 and 79% of group 3 (differences not statistically significant). An anatomical sphincter defect was detected postoperatively in 8% of patients in group 1, 9% in group 2 and 7% of group 3. Poorer outcomes were achieved in older patients and in patients with previous ileo-anal pouch formation. Early faecal impaction and repair breakdown were independently associated with poor long-term outcomes.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither routine use of a covering stoma nor a postoperative constipating regimen produced better results following external anal sphincter repair than did the use of a postoperative laxative regimen which encouraged early passage of loose stool without the need for straining.
Clark
C L
CL
St Mark's Hospital, Harrow, UK. Celia.Ingham.Clark@Whittington.thenhs.com
Wilkinson
K H
KH
Rihani
H R
HR
McDonald
P J
PJ
Northover
J M
JM
Phillips
R K
RK