OBJECTIVETo evaluate the safety of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) for the treatment of obstructed defecation syndrome(ODS).

METHODSA retrospective study was performed in 112 female patients with ODS eligible for STARR. The short-lerm and long-term postoperative complications were recorded and assessed.

RESULTSShort-term postoperative complications and adverse events were reported in 18 patients (16.1%) including fecal incontinence (4.5%), anastomotic bleeding (2.7%), staple line partial dehiscence (0.9%), anal fissure (2.7%), acute urinary retention (1.8%), thrombosed external hemorrhoid (1.8%), hematoma of the rectovaginal septum (0.9%) and fecal impaction (0.9%). Reoperation was required in 2 patients (1.8%) due to the short-term postoperative complications. The median length of follow-up was 24 months. There were 6 patients with long-term postoperative complications (5.4%) including fecal incontinence (1.8%), defecatory urgency (0.9%), chronic pain due to anastomotic inflammation (1.8%), and chronic pain due to anal rectal diverticulum (0.9%). Three patients (2.7%) were reoperated.

CONCLUSIONSTARR appears to be a safe technique for patients with obstructed defecation.