Long-Term Outcomes of Transanal Irrigation for Bowel Dysfunction

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Colorectal Surgery
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Transanal irrigation (TAI) enhances bowel function and quality of life in neurogenic bowel disease.
• Its application has expanded to diverse defecatory disorders, but long-term data are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the long-term efficacy and compliance of transanal irrigation (TAI) over a five-year period.
• To analyze patient outcomes and adverse events associated with TAI in a real-world setting.

Main Methods:

• A five-year retrospective review of 18 patients utilizing TAI in a district general hospital.
• Analysis of patient demographics, indications for TAI, compliance rates, adverse events, and bowel symptom scores.

Main Results:

• TAI was utilized for diverse conditions including low anterior resection syndrome, neurogenic bowel, and functional disorders.
• Fourteen out of 18 patients maintained regular TAI, with significant improvement in bowel symptom scores (p=0.003).
• No major adverse events were reported; discontinuation reasons included inadequate evacuation or symptom resolution.

Conclusions:

• Transanal irrigation (TAI) demonstrates safety and effectiveness for long-term use in a select patient group.
• Approximately one-fifth of patients discontinued TAI, highlighting the need to identify optimal candidates.
• Further research is warranted to predict patient response and optimize TAI therapy.