Quality of life, symptoms of dyschezia, and anatomy after surgical treatment of rectal static disorder

Aim of the study - To evaluate the quality of life patients suffering from dyschezia and ifs correlation with symptomatic complaints and anatomical ab normalities, before and after elective surgery for rectal static disorder. Patients and methods - A prospective study was conducted using a general qu ality of life questionnaire (SF36) and a constipation specific score (PAC-Q oL), a dyschezia symptom score, and defecography. Results - Thirty-eight female dyschesic patients (mean age 54 years) underw ent surgery for rectocele with (n = 16) or without (n = 14) internal rectal prolapse, an isolated internal rectal prolapse (n = 3), or a total rectal prolapse (n = 5). Preoperative quality of life was low correlated with the intensity of dyschezia. Seven months after surgery, quality of life and dys chezia improved independently of the amplitude of the anatomical correction . More items improved in the constipation specific score than on the qualit y of life questionnaire; they were correlated with the course of dyscheria symptoms. Neither incontinence nor irritable bowel syndrome affected evolut ion of the symptoms. Conclusion - Surgery improved initially low quality of life and symptomatic complaints in patients with dyschezia an;l a rectal static disorder, indep endently of anatomic repair. Differences in changes observed in the PAC-QoL and SF36 suggest different fields of application.