Evaluation of bowel function in patients with retrorectal masses
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A prospective controlled cohort study assessing bowel function in patients treated for retrorectal masses at a single tertiary centre.
IRAS ID
327164
Contact name
Samer Mashlab
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 0 days
Research summary
Retrorectal cysts represent a rare group of congenital lesions. Due to their rare nature, diagnosis and management remains a challenge. Increasing numbers are detected incidentally on radiological imaging in asymptomatic patients, raising the dilemma of how they should be managed, as the evidence in the literature is based mostly on small case series and driven by the assumed risk of malignant conversion. Retrorectal lesions are predominantly benign although a proportion undergo malignant transformation resulting in a predilection to offer surgical intervention to mitigate the perceived risk. Treatment generally remains surgical excision that may be through a transabdominal (anterior); perineal (posterior) approach; or combined anterior/posterior approach. The function in those with such lesions remains undetermined and the long-term side effects produced by surgery remain poorly quantified and recorded. However, in follow-up, bowel dysfunction and chronic pain are commonly reported with an impact on patient quality of life. Through this research we aim to quantify and characterise bowel dysfunction in patients treated surgically for retrorectal lesions. We also aim to assess whether surgical approach has an impact on incidence of bowel dysfunction. We aim to compare the bowel function with those patients with retrorectal lesions managed without surgery. Through review of existing magnetic resonance imaging pre- and post-surgery, we aim to identify common anatomical changes that may explain the functional outcomes observed.
REC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/EM/0188
Date of REC Opinion
26 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion