title: Sigmoidectomy syndrome? Patients' perspectives on the functional outcomes following surgery for diverticulitis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bowel function following surgery for diverticulitis has not previously been systematically described.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to document the frequency, severity, and predictors of suboptimal bowel function in patients who have undergone sigmoid colectomy for diverticulitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study is a retrospective analysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted at a large, academic medical center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three hundred twenty-five patients who underwent laparoscopic or open sigmoid colectomy with restoration of intestinal continuity for diverticulitis were included in the study population. Of these, 249 patients (76.6%) returned a 70-question survey incorporating the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index, the Fecal Incontinence Quality of Life Scale, and the Memorial Bowel Function Instrument.
  
  
  METHODS
  Survey responders and nonresponders were compared with the use of χ and t tests. Responders with suboptimal bowel function (fecal incontinence, urgency and/or incomplete emptying) were then compared with those with good outcomes by the use of logistic regression analysis to determine the predictors of poor function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the responders, 24.8% reported clinically relevant fecal incontinence (Fecal Incontinence Severity Index ≥ 24), 19.6% reported fecal urgency (Memorial Bowel Function Instrument Urgency Subscale ≥ 4), and 20.8% reported incomplete emptying (Memorial Bowel Function Instrument Emptying Subscale ≥ 4). On logistic regression analysis, fecal incontinence was predicted by female sex (OR = 2.3, p = 0.008) and the presence of a preoperative abscess (OR = 1.4, p < 0.05). Fecal urgency was associated with female sex (OR = 1.3, p < 0.05) and a diverting ileostomy (OR = 2.1, p < 0.001). Incomplete emptying was associated with female sex (OR = 1.4, p < 0.05) and postoperative sepsis (OR = 1.9, p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study was limited by the fact that we did not use a nondiverticulitis control group and we had limited preoperative data on the history of bowel impairment symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One-fifth of patients reported fecal urgency, fecal incontinence, or incomplete emptying after surgery for diverticulitis. Despite the limitations of our study, these results are concerning and should be investigated further prospectively.
authors.affiliation: Colon and Rectal Surgery Program, Division of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Melissa M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Levack
authors.forename: Lieba R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Savitt
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Berger
authors.forename: Paul C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Shellito
authors.forename: Richard A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hodin
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Rattner
authors.forename: Stanley M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Goldberg
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bordeianou
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003082:Colectomy; D004239:Diverticulitis, Colonic / Q000601:surgery*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011788:Quality of Life; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012810:Sigmoid Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome