Potential impact of probiotics on low anterior resection syndrome: An emerging area of research

Document Type : Editorial

Authors

1 Colorectal Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 Laparoscopy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

Abstract

The worldwide age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of rectal cancer are estimated to be 7.6 and 3.3 per 100,000, respectively (1). Previous literature suggests that low anterior resection (LAR) may be superior to abdominoperineal resection (APR) for rectal cancer, with better 5-year survival, local recurrence rate, oncological outcomes, and prognosis (2). However, it is reported that around 41% of patients who underwent LAR experience major low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) one year after surgery. LARS is characterized by fecal and gas incontinence, diarrhea, urgency or frequency of stools, sensation of incomplete emptying, and clustering of bowel motions (3) . These symptoms are reported to persist over time and influence health related quality of life (4), functional bowel symptoms may also occur after sigmoid resection (5) . Despite assessing the effects of several therapeutic strategies in reducing the LARS symptoms, its treatment is still challenging (6) .
Perturbation of the gut microbiome has been linked to numerous chronic diseases, such as obesity, endocrine disorders, gastrointestinal diseases, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, etc.(7).

Keywords

Iranian Journal of Colorectal Research
Volume 11, Issue 3
September 2023

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