Low Anterior Resection (LARS)
A low anterior resection is a type of surgery to remove bowel cancer in the rectum.
After your rectum is removed, the two healthy ends of the bowel are joined back together, allowing stool to pass through your bowel. Sometimes a temporary stoma is formed to allow the join to heal. Once it has healed, the stoma can usually be reversed.
Once your stoma is reversed, it’s common for bowel habits to change. The surgery removes the rectum, the part of the bowel that normally stores stool. Nerves and muscles that help control bowel movements can also be affected. This is known as low anterior resection syndrome (LARS).
What are the symptoms of LARS?
Everyone is different but symptoms can include some or several of the following:
- Variable, unpredictable bowel pattern
- Altered stool consistency
- Increased stool frequency
- Repeated painful stools
- Emptying difficulties
- Urgency (having to rush to get to the toilet)
- Incontinence (leakage of stool)
- Soiling
Symptoms of LARS can include changes such as constipation or leakage, and they may vary from day to day. At times, these symptoms can feel unpredictable and may be more noticeable on some occasions than others. Living with LARS can be challenging because it can affect daily routines, sleep, and confidence in being away from a toilet. It may also impact work, social activities, and intimate relationships. The good news is that there are ways to manage these symptoms, and finding the right approach can make a big difference to your quality of life.
How common is LARS?
The incidence of LARS varies but is estimated to affect up to 40% of patients who have had this type of surgery. It is important to be aware of the symptoms. Do not suffer in silence, treatment is available including rectal irrigation.
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Treatments
The process of managing faecal incontinence or constipation is called “bowel management”.
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