title: Functional outcome of total anorectal reconstruction: incontinence or constipation?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Besides incontinence, constipation is important after TAR. We aimed at evaluating their correlation and role in functional outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  81 diaries in 16 patients (up to 8 years) were assessed, by a specific scoring system, regarding incontinence and evacuation. In the overall series and in three postoperative time groups, the correlation between the two items, their mean scores and relative score rates (% of the maximum possible scoring) were calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The Spearman correlation coefficient in all assessments was -0.128. According to timing, it was: 0.468 (short term), -0.036 (mean term) and -0.69 (long term). Incontinence was more disabling than evacuation; constipation occurred more frequently. Incontinence improved over time; constipation did not substantially change.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Current criteria for functional assessment do not describe the true conditions after TAR and their variations over time. Profound consideration is necessary before announcing ultimate judgements on TAR.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Chirurgica Generale e Terapia Chirurgica, Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Università di Parma. vincenzo.violi@unipr.it
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Violi
authors.forename: Adamo Stefano
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Boselli
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Bernardinis
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Costi
authors.forename: Leopoldo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sarli
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iusco
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roncoroni
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012007:Rectum / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*