ABSTRACT

Treatment of obstructed defecation (OD) is extremely challenging. Patients with symptoms of OD may demonstrate certain anatomic abnormalities on defecography, such as rectal intussusception, rectal prolapse, and recto- or enterocele. Internal rectal prolapse (rectal intussusception) and rectocele are frequent clinical findings in patients suffering from refractory constipation. However, there is still no clear evidence whether the STARR procedure (stapled transanal rectal resection) provides a safe and effective surgical option for symptom resolution in ODS patients In this paper we reviewed the literature to summarize the surgical outcomes and postoperative complications following STARR procedure considering the largest multicentric studies published in literature.