Early Postoperative Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation to Reduce Low Anterior Resection Syndrome After Rectal Cancer Surgery

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating the effects of early postoperative posterior tibial nerve stimulation PTNS on patients who have undergone low anterior resection of the rectum for cancer. This surgery, often combined with neoadjuvant radiochemotherapy, commonly leads to issues with bowel and defecation function known as Anterior Resection Syndrome ARS. The study aims to determine if PTNS treatment can reduce the incidence and duration of ARS and improve patients quality of life after surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups one receives PTNS treatment, and the other receives standard care without PTNS. The PTNS treatment involves 12 sessions over 6 weeks, starting three weeks after hospital discharge or after ileostomy closure if applicable. The stimulation sessions are performed by nursing staff specialized in anorectal functional testing. During the 12 months following surgery, patients will be monitored to assess the impact of PTNS on ARS symptoms and quality of life using validated measures such as the LARS Scale and EORTC-QLQ questionnaires. The study includes regular evaluations to track symptom incidence, duration, and quality of life changes. Safety and adherence to the treatment protocol will also be observed throughout the study period.

Impact of Early Postoperative Treatment With Posterior Tibial Nerve Stimulation on the Incidence and Duration of Low Anterior Rectal Resection Syndrome