ABSTRACT

Surgery for colo-rectal cancer is a common procedure, and it is associated with a high incidence of functional urological complications. These complications are due to damage to the pelvic nerves during mobilization of the rectum. In particular the sympatic and parasympatic innervation of the low urinary tract can be disrupted, both in male and female patients. The urological functional damage requires a correct diagnostic workout peri and post-operative and an adequate treatment strategy, in order to avoid permanent impairment. A nerve-sparing surgical approach to the rectum could minimize the entity of damage to the pelvic nerves. This technique is difficult, due the complex anatomy of the neural branches. The patient, not only the surgeon and the urologist, should be aware of the possibility of functional complications after rectal surgery, and informed upfront that such complications can be successfully prevented, monitored and treated