Improving Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life in Patients With Rectal Cancer After Surgery With Intensified Follow-up & Surveillance

The study intervention will be an intensified follow-up program which consists of different measures. Patients will attend follow-up visits 1, 4, 7 and 13 months after ileostomy repositioning, at which LARS symptoms, quality of life as well as sexual and urinary function will be recorded using various questionnaires. In case of LARS symptoms patients will receive medical treatment with loperamide and metamucil as well as pelvic floor muscle training (including biofeedback and home exercises). Regarding pelvic floor muscle training we are planning nine sessions instructed by physiotherapy staff. In case of therapy-resistant LARS symptoms after 6 months sacral neurostimulation is offered to the patients with a focus on incontinence symptoms and desire for surgery or transanal irrigation in patients with a focus on voiding disorders. In case of urinary and sexual complaints patients are referred to our urology or gynaecology department for further diagnostic and treatment.