Official websites use. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Corresponding Author: Gyung Mo Son. This prospective, single-center, open-label, therapeutic confirmatory, randomized clinical trial aimed to assess the alleviation of anal pain by applying structured anal skin care including skin protectants in rectal cancer patients with low anterior resection syndrome LARS combined with anal pain.
The conventional treatment consisted of dietary management, sitz baths, prohibition of anal scrubbing, loperamide, and dioctahedral smectite. In the anal care group, cleanser, barrier cream, and barrier spray were applied to the anal skin after defecation following the conventional treatment.
The primary outcome was analgesic effect on anal pain after 2 weeks of structured treatment anal care group or conventional control group. There were no significant differences in LARS scores and quality of life scores between 2 groups. Structured anal skin care has a significant analgesic effect in reducing anal pain and improving anal skin conditions in patients with LARS after rectal cancer surgery.
Low anterior resection syndrome LARS is one of the most common uncomfortable symptoms experienced by patients undergoing low anterior resection LAR [ 1 ]. The symptoms of LARS may appear in various ways, such as urgency, frequency, tenesmus, loose stool, nocturnal defecation, and fecal incontinence [ 2 ]. The pattern and intensity of LARS symptoms may vary depending on various factors such as the length of the remnant rectum, radiation proctitis, diet, and bowel habits [ 3 ].
Loose stool and frequent defecation can commonly lead to anal dermatitis with pain, itching, pruritus, and a burning sensation. Loose stool contains water, electrolytes, bile, and digestive enzymes. Changes in alkaline pH can destroy the acidic mantle of the epidermis and initiate skin breakdown. Repetitive anal scrubbing and friction can cause physical damage to the anal skin. Loss of the skin barrier can cause bacterial and fungal infiltration into the skin, resulting in infection.
