Kreisler, EstherPlanellas Giné, PereFernandes-Montes, NairGolda, ThomasAlonso-Gonçalves, SandraElorza, GaraziGil, J.Abad-Camacho, Mayra RebecaCornejo Fernández, LídiaMarinello, Franco2025-03-042025-03-042025-01-041123-6337https://hdl.handle.net/2445/219455Background: Patients with rectal cancer often experience adverse effects on urinary, sexual, and digestive functions. Despite recognised impacts and available treatments, they are not fully integrated into follow-up protocols, thereby hindering appropriate interventions. The aim of the study was to discern the activities conducted in our routine clinical practice outside of clinical trials. Methods: This multicentre, retrospective cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery between January 2016 and January 2020 at six tertiary Spanish hospitals. Results: A total of 787 patients were included. Two years post surgery, gastrointestinal evaluation was performed in 86% of patients. However, bowel movements per day were only recorded in 242 patients (46.4%), and the values of the Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) questionnaire were recorded in 106 patients (20.3%); 146 patients received a diagnosis of fecal incontinence (28.2%), while 124 patients were diagnosed with low anterior resection syndrome (23.8%). Urogenital evaluation was recorded in 21.1% of patients. Thirty-seven patients (5.1%) were detected to have urinary dysfunction, while 40 patients (5.5%) were detected to have sexual dysfunction. A total of 320 patients (43.9%) had their quality of life evaluated 2 years after surgery, and only 0.8% completed the Quality of Life questionnaire. Medication was the most used treatment for sequelae (26.9%) followed by referral to other specialists (15.1%). Conclusions: There is a significant deficit in clinical follow-ups regarding the functional assessment of patients undergoing rectal cancer surgery. It is crucial to implement a postoperative functional follow-up protocol and to utilize technologies such as Patient-Reported Outcome Measures (PROMs) to enhance the evaluation and treatment of these sequelae, thereby ensuring an improved quality of life for patients.9 p.application/pdfengcc by (c) Kreisler, Esther et al., 2025https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Incontinència fecalAdultsCirurgia colorectalPeríode postoperatoriFecal incontinenceAdulthoodColorectal surgeryPostoperative periodinfo:eu-repo/semantics/article7573602025-03-04info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess39755841