Purpose: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) procedure could potentially influence the development of fecal incontinence later in life. The aim of our study was to assess long-term functional outcomes after TEM and to determine possible variables related to incontinence.
Methods: Patients, enrolled in a prospectively collected TEM operation database, were interviewed using a postal questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of EuroQol (EQ)-5D-5L quality of life questionnaire, Wexner fecal incontinence grading scale, and additional questions about other perianal operations and obstetric history for women. We divided patients into two groups: no or minor fecal incontinence (Wexner score of 2 and less) and non-minor incontinence (Wexner score of 3 or more).
Results: One hundred thirty-two patients were included in the study. Patients' median follow-up time was 96 (12-168) months from their operation. Thirty-eight patients (28.8%) reported Wexner score of 3 or more, and they reported significantly worse quality of life in all tested life spheres. They were older at the time of the operation (63 (18-82) vs. 68 (50-89) years; p = 0.004), underwent longer operations (50 (10-140) vs. 60 (15-210) min; p = 0.017), and more often were operated for malignant lesions (17 (18.3%) vs. 14 (36.8%); p = 0.040). Older age at the time of operation was an independent risk factor in multivariate model (OR 1.057, 95% CI 1.010-1.106; p = 0.016).
Conclusions: Fecal incontinence after TEM is more common than thought previously, resulting in significantly impaired quality of life. Older age at the time of operation was an independent risk factor for developing significant fecal incontinence.
Keywords: Fecal incontinence; Functional outcomes; Quality of life; Rectal tumors; Transanal endoscopic microsurgery.