title: Clinical outcomes of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) for obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS): a single institution experience in South Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess both the short- and long-term functional outcomes of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) in ODS patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a retrospective review of data that were collected from January 2005 to October 2008. Between January 2005 to June 2006, 58 patients who underwent STARR were enrolled in this study. Follow-up was scheduled for 3 months and 1 year after surgery with the Cleveland Clinic Florida (CCF) constipation score and satisfaction grade. To evaluate the long-term functional outcome, we interviewed the patients by telephone using questionnaires for the CCF score and satisfaction grade on October 2008.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median follow-up period was 34 months (range, 27-46 months). The mean age and sex ratio were 54 years (range, 19-85 years) and 8:50 (M/F). The mean CCF constipation scores were 17.6 before the surgery, 9.5 at 3 months, 9.6 at 12 months, and 10.3 at the time of the latest interview. The satisfaction grade, which was rated as excellent and good by 63.4% of the patients at the time of the latest interview, was worse than that at 3 months (37.8%). Among the cases of the excellent group (19 cases) at postoperative 3 months, 13 cases (68.4%) were classified as excellent or good at the time of the latest interview.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The STARR is a safe and effective surgical procedure for restoring the anatomy and function in ODS patients. Strict selection of patients is needed in enhancing and maintaining the patients' satisfaction after the procedure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Daehang Hospital, 481-10, Bangbae3-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul 137-820, South Korea.
authors.forename: Kee Ho
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Du Seok
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jong Keun
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: So Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jae Bum
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Eui Gon
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Yook
authors.forename: Doo Han
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Do Sun
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D056910:Republic of Korea; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013537:Sutures; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult