Sexual problems after surgery for rectal cancer are common, multifactorial, inadequately discussed, and untreated. Therefore, sexual dysfunction should be discussed with rectal cancer patients, and efforts to prevent and treat it should be increased.

Objective: To measure sexual function and quality of life (QOL) after rectal cancer treatment. Summary Background Data: Previous studies on sexual function after rectal cancer treatment have focused on males and have not used validated instruments. Methods: Patients undergoing curative rectal cancer surgery from 1980 to 2003 were administered a questionnaire, including the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) or International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), and the EORTC QLQ-C30/CR-38. Multiple logistic regression was used to test associations of clinical factors with outcomes. Results: Eighty-one women (81.0%) and 99 men (80.5%) returned the questionnaire; 32% of women and 50% of men are sexually active, compared with 61% and 91% preoperatively (P Ͻ 0.04); 29% of women and 45% of men reported that "surgery made their sexual lives worse." Mean (SD) FSFI and IIEF scores were 17.5 (11.9) and 29.3 (22.8). Specific sexual problems in women were libido 41%, arousal 29%, lubrication 56%, orgasm 35%, and dyspareunia 46%, and in men libido 47%, impotence 32%, partial impotence 52%, orgasm 41%, and ejaculation 43%. Both genders reported a negative body image. Patients seldom remembered discussing sexual risks preoperatively and seldom were treated for dysfunction. Current age (P Ͻ 0.001), surgical procedure (P ϭ 0.003), and preoperative sexual activity (P ϭ 0.001) were independently associated with current sexual activity. Gender (male, P ϭ 0.014), surgical procedure (P ϭ 0.005), and radiation therapy (P ϭ 0.0001) were independently associated with the outcome "surgery made sexual life worse." Global QOL scores were high. Conclusions: Sexual problems after surgery for rectal cancer are common, multifactorial, inadequately discussed, and untreated. Therefore, sexual dysfunction should be discussed with rectal cancer patients, and efforts to prevent and treat it should be increased.

The risk of SBO after IPAA is high, although most do not require surgical intervention. Thus, strategies that reduce the risk of adhesions are warranted in this group of patients to improve patient outcome and decrease healthcare costs.

The results of the pelvic pouch procedure were reviewed to assess the surgical complication rate and outcome of patients who had had the procedure performed with a stapled ileo-anal anastomosis with and without a defunctioning ileostomy. Between December 1982 and March 1992, 483 patients underwent a pelvic pouch (PP) procedure. Patients were divided into three groups: group I consisted of 325 patients (178 men and boys and 147 women and girls) who underwent a PP procedure with a handsewn ileoanal anastomosis (IAA) with a defunctioning loop ileostomy. In group II, there were 87 patients (47 men and boys and 40 women and girls) who had a stapled IAA with a defunctioning ileostomy. Group III patients consisted of 71 patients (43 men and boys and 28 women and girls) who had a stapled IAA with no covering ileostomy. Assessment was made of the IAA leak rate, the surgical complications, the reoperation rate, and functional outcome. Early surgical complications included 40 (12%) IAA leaks in group I patients compared with only six (7%) leaks in group II patients who had a stapled IAA (p < 0.05). In group III patients, who had a stapled IAA but no covering ileostomy, there were 13 leaks (18%). Eleven of these 13 leaks healed spontaneously with tube drainage; one patient remains with a rectal tube in place 6 weeks after operation, and only one patient has required a reoperation (defunctioning ileostomy). Functionally, all patients with a healed IAA after a leak have had an excellent result comparable to those without a leak. Patients who were male, older than age 40, on steroids, and had had a true one-stage PP procedure, had a greater risk of developing an IAA leak. In two patients, there was intraoperative difficulty, and one of these patients had an IAA leak after operation. Disease activity at the resection margin and patient weight did not affect the leak rate. Our results suggest that the IAA leak rate is significantly reduced in patients with a stapled IAA with an ileostomy compared with those with a handsewn IAA. Omission of the defunctioning ileostomy is associated with a higher IAA leak rate, but spontaneous healing occurs in almost all patients without impairment of functional results. In patients in whom the ileostomy is omitted, the IAA leak rate is greatest in male patients who have undergone a true one-stage PP procedure, are on steroids, and are older than age 40.

The majority of pouch failures were caused by leaks at the IAA. Although the leak rate remained stable, leaks following a stapled anastomosis seemed to have a better prognosis than leaks following a handsewn anastomosis. Experience with the pouch procedure and the management of complications likely plays an important role in decreasing the risk of pouch failure.

Fatigue is one of the most common and debilitating cancer symptoms, and is associated with impaired quality of life. The exact pathophysiology of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is poorly understood, but in any individual, it is likely multifactorial and involves inter-related cytokine, muscular, neurotransmitter, and neuroendocrine changes. Underlying CRF mechanisms proposed include central and peripheral hypotheses. Central mechanisms include hypotheses about cytokine dysregulation, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal-axis disruption, circadian rhythm disruption, serotonin, and vagal afferent nerve function while peripheral mechanisms include hypotheses about adenosine triphosphate and muscle contractile properties. Currently, these hypotheses are largely based on evidence from other conditions in which fatigue is characteristic. The purpose of this article is to provide a narrative review of the literature and present the current controversies in the pathophysiology of CRF, particularly in relation to central and peripheral hypotheses for CRF. An understanding of pathophysiology may facilitate direct and simple therapeutic interventions for those with cancer.

Although complication rates may be higher in patients with indeterminate colitis compared with ulcerative colitis, the overall pouch failure rate is similar. On the other hand, more than one-half of patients with Crohn's disease will require pouch excision or diversion. Our data suggest that it is difficult to identify patients with Crohn's disease who are likely to have a successful outcome after restorative proctocolectomy. Thus, Crohn's disease should remain a relative contraindication to restorative proctocolectomy, whereas ileal pouch-anal anastomosis is an acceptable alternative for patients with indeterminate colitis.

Pregnancy is safe in females with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. Functional results are altered almost exclusively during the third trimester, but pouch function promptly returns to prepregnancy status in most females. A small proportion of females have long-term disturbances in function, but these are not related to the method of delivery. Thus, the method of delivery should be dictated by obstetric considerations.