Transanal Irrigation for the Management of LARS

NCT ID: NCT05007015

Last Updated: 2025-07-29

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

66 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2022-01-15

Study Completion Date

2025-12-31

Brief Summary

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This study aims to evaluate the impact of Transanal irrigation (TAI) on the quality of life and low anterior resection symptoms (LARS) in Canadian rectal cancer survivors living with minor to major LARS. It proposes to teach TAI through a novel online platform and to provide virtual nursing support for the participants. To our knowledge, this is the first North American based and largest randomized control trial on the use of TAI for patients with LARS. This will also be the first study to teach and support patients through the TAI process using a virtual platform. While TAI has been demonstrated to reduce LARS scores and increased QoL in patients with significant LARS, its feasibility and acceptance for Canadian patients remains uncertain. Furthermore despite the existing studies, the rate of TAI seems to be low in North America. The hypothesis is that TAI, taught and supported through an online portal dedicated to LARS patients, will positively impact QoL and improve LARS symptoms. The results of this trial may allow TAI to become part of the standard armamentarium that clinicians offer patients for LARS management, with the presence of online nursing support and guidance to facilitate this practice.

Detailed Description

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Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) is a constellation of bowel symptoms which occur following rectal cancer treatment. These symptoms have a well characterized negative impact on a patient's quality of life (QoL) following sphincter sparing surgery. The treatment of LARS is primarily based on the management of symptoms with conservative measures such as dietary changes and fiber supplements, anti-diarrheal medications and pelvic floor physiotherapy. Despite these measures, patients often still experience uncontrolled debilitating symptoms.

Transanal irrigation (TAI) has been described for the management of LARS symptoms that persist after conservative measures have been insufficient. The positive impact of this treatment on LARS and the number of bowel movements experienced by patients has been demonstrated in several, primarily European small studies. This multicenter, assessor-blinded, parallel-group randomized control trial (RCT) will assess the outcomes of an online, nurse-led, North American TAI program for the management of LARS.

This RCT will recruit patients who have undergone a low anterior resection (LAR) with closure of any diverting stoma at least 6 months prior to entry into the trial with a LARS score of \>20 at recruitment. Participants will be recruited from five academic hospitals with high volumes of rectal cancer care in Ontario and Quebec, and will be randomized using a computer-generated sequence in balanced blocks, stratified by hospital, to the intervention (TAI) or control (traditional care) arms.

Participants in the intervention arm will be asked to perform TAI every 1-2 days for a six-month period. Teaching on the use of TAI will be given through virtual sessions with an experienced research nurse and supportive material (video and animated text) on a web-based application, eLARS. This is an established online application designed to provide quality health information for patients living with LARS created by our research group. Participants in the intervention arm of this study will be given access to a restricted transanal irrigation section on this application dedicated to this RCT with detailed written instructions and educational videos on the use of TAI. Participants in the control arm of the study will have access to the general eLARS application without the section on the transanal irrigation, and no specific change in their current management routine will be required. The required sample size for this RCT, accounting for attrition, is 99 patients. It is anticipated this patient sample can be accrued from the five interested sites within a year.

The primary outcome of the study will be health-related quality of life (QoL) as measured by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer core Quality of Life questionnaire (EORTIC-QLQ-C30), with secondary outcomes including evaluation of bowel function by the LARS score, Wexner/Cleveland Clinic Fecal Incontinence Score, and bowel diary and satisfaction with TAI. Participant demographics, disease and treatment characteristics will be obtained via hospital chart review as time of recruitment. The TAI treatment effect on global QoL will be modeled using generalized estimating equations (GEE), accounting for within-subject correlations between responses at different time-points, and possible clustering of responses among participants from the same hospital.

To our knowledge, this will be the first North American trial to assess TAI acceptance and impact on quality of life for patients living with LARS. Furthermore, this will be the largest RCT to date, and the first to use a virtual platform to deliver this service for rectal cancer survivors. This study aims to provide an additional feasible and acceptable treatment option for the management of LARS symptoms refractory to our currently limited treatment options.

Conditions

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Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Rectal Cancer

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

CROSSOVER

Multicenter randomized controlled crossover trial
Primary Study Purpose

SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Allocation with be generated by a centralized computer generated randomized sequence to ensure allocation concealment.

Data analyst will be blinding to treatment group but no other masking is feasible given the treatment

Study Groups

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Transanal Irrigation

This group will be instructed on the use of TAI to be perform daily for the three month duration of their treatment arm

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Transanal Irrigation

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Each participant will receive a mailed package of TAI materials, given access to the LARS website, and have two scheduled virtual visits with a trained research nurse to learn how to use TAI once assigned to the intervention arm. These sessions will include one on one session with the nurse for review of the material, discussion of the device and any questions. TAI involves introducing an applicator into the anus for irrigation. An initial volume of 1000 mL will be suggested but can be increased to 1500 mL or reduced to 500 mL as per patient preference and tolerance. Applicators are single-use instruments that can be disposed of into standard waster receptacle after each treatment. The irrigation system is multiple-use and can be used for the duration recommend by the manufacturer manual. Daily irrigation can take anywhere between 20 and 90 minutes depending on individual patient experience.

Tradition care Control arm

This group tradition care group will have no modification to the care they have received prior to commencing the study. The patients in this group will use the usual dietary modifications and medications prescribed by the treating team to manage their LARS. No changes will be made to the treatment regime prescribed by their surgeon.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Transanal Irrigation

Each participant will receive a mailed package of TAI materials, given access to the LARS website, and have two scheduled virtual visits with a trained research nurse to learn how to use TAI once assigned to the intervention arm. These sessions will include one on one session with the nurse for review of the material, discussion of the device and any questions. TAI involves introducing an applicator into the anus for irrigation. An initial volume of 1000 mL will be suggested but can be increased to 1500 mL or reduced to 500 mL as per patient preference and tolerance. Applicators are single-use instruments that can be disposed of into standard waster receptacle after each treatment. The irrigation system is multiple-use and can be used for the duration recommend by the manufacturer manual. Daily irrigation can take anywhere between 20 and 90 minutes depending on individual patient experience.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Low anterior resection by a laparoscopic, robotic, transanal total mesorectal excision, or open approach with (or without) creation of a diverting loop ileostomy for the treatment of rectal cancer, advanced adenoma or dysplasia And
* have had their ileostomy closed (if applicable) And
* completed treatment at least 6 months ago (including ileostomy closure) And
* LARS score \> 20 points

Exclusion Criteria

* Inability to provide informed consent, including fluency in English or French language
* unable to access the internet,
* presence of an ostomy,
* no active or ongoing treatment
* anastomotic stricture, sinus or any other ongoing anastomotic complications.
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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McGill University Health Centre/Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval

OTHER

Sponsor Role collaborator

Jewish General Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Dr. Marylise Boutros

Assistant Professor of Surgery, McGill University

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Jewish General Hospital

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Site Status

McGill University Health Centre

Montreal, Quebec, Canada

Site Status

Countries

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Canada

References

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Keane C, Fearnhead NS, Bordeianou LG, Christensen P, Basany EE, Laurberg S, Mellgren A, Messick C, Orangio GR, Verjee A, Wing K, Bissett I; LARS International Collaborative Group. International Consensus Definition of Low Anterior Resection Syndrome. Dis Colon Rectum. 2020 Mar;63(3):274-284. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000001583.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32032141 (View on PubMed)

Bryant CL, Lunniss PJ, Knowles CH, Thaha MA, Chan CL. Anterior resection syndrome. Lancet Oncol. 2012 Sep;13(9):e403-8. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(12)70236-X.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 22935240 (View on PubMed)

Fayers P, Bottomley A; EORTC Quality of Life Group; Quality of Life Unit. Quality of life research within the EORTC-the EORTC QLQ-C30. European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer. Eur J Cancer. 2002 Mar;38 Suppl 4:S125-33. doi: 10.1016/s0959-8049(01)00448-8.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11858978 (View on PubMed)

Kim MJ, Park JW, Lee MA, Lim HK, Kwon YH, Ryoo SB, Park KJ, Jeong SY. Two dominant patterns of low anterior resection syndrome and their effects on patients' quality of life. Sci Rep. 2021 Feb 11;11(1):3538. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-82149-9.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33574345 (View on PubMed)

Ekkarat P, Boonpipattanapong T, Tantiphlachiva K, Sangkhathat S. Factors determining low anterior resection syndrome after rectal cancer resection: A study in Thai patients. Asian J Surg. 2016 Oct;39(4):225-31. doi: 10.1016/j.asjsur.2015.07.003. Epub 2015 Sep 2.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26340884 (View on PubMed)

Battersby NJ, Juul T, Christensen P, Janjua AZ, Branagan G, Emmertsen KJ, Norton C, Hughes R, Laurberg S, Moran BJ; United Kingdom Low Anterior Resection Syndrome Study Group. Predicting the Risk of Bowel-Related Quality-of-Life Impairment After Restorative Resection for Rectal Cancer: A Multicenter Cross-Sectional Study. Dis Colon Rectum. 2016 Apr;59(4):270-80. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000000552.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 26953985 (View on PubMed)

Sturiale A, Martellucci J, Zurli L, Vaccaro C, Brusciano L, Limongelli P, Docimo L, Valeri A. Long-term functional follow-up after anterior rectal resection for cancer. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2017 Jan;32(1):83-88. doi: 10.1007/s00384-016-2659-6. Epub 2016 Sep 30.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27695976 (View on PubMed)

Iwama T, Imajo M, Yaegashi K, Mishima Y. Self washout method for defecational complaints following low anterior rectal resection. Jpn J Surg. 1989 Mar;19(2):251-3. doi: 10.1007/BF02471596.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 2724726 (View on PubMed)

McCutchan GM, Hughes D, Davies Z, Torkington J, Morris C, Cornish JA; LARRIS Trial Management Group. Acceptability and benefit of rectal irrigation in patients with Low Anterior Resection Syndrome: a qualitative study. Colorectal Dis. 2017 Dec 11. doi: 10.1111/codi.13985. Online ahead of print.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 29226518 (View on PubMed)

Rosen H, Robert-Yap J, Tentschert G, Lechner M, Roche B. Transanal irrigation improves quality of life in patients with low anterior resection syndrome. Colorectal Dis. 2011 Oct;13(10):e335-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2011.02692.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 21689359 (View on PubMed)

Koch SM, Rietveld MP, Govaert B, van Gemert WG, Baeten CG. Retrograde colonic irrigation for faecal incontinence after low anterior resection. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2009 Sep;24(9):1019-22. doi: 10.1007/s00384-009-0719-x. Epub 2009 May 19.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 19452159 (View on PubMed)

Martellucci J, Sturiale A, Bergamini C, Boni L, Cianchi F, Coratti A, Valeri A. Role of transanal irrigation in the treatment of anterior resection syndrome. Tech Coloproctol. 2018 Jul;22(7):519-527. doi: 10.1007/s10151-018-1829-7. Epub 2018 Aug 6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 30083782 (View on PubMed)

Enriquez-Navascues JM, Labaka-Arteaga I, Aguirre-Allende I, Artola-Etxeberria M, Saralegui-Ansorena Y, Elorza-Echaniz G, Borda-Arrizabalaga N, Placer-Galan C. A randomized trial comparing transanal irrigation and percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation in the management of low anterior resection syndrome. Colorectal Dis. 2020 Mar;22(3):303-309. doi: 10.1111/codi.14870. Epub 2019 Oct 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31585495 (View on PubMed)

Gosselink MP, Darby M, Zimmerman DD, Smits AA, van Kessel I, Hop WC, Briel JW, Schouten WR. Long-term follow-up of retrograde colonic irrigation for defaecation disturbances. Colorectal Dis. 2005 Jan;7(1):65-9. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1318.2004.00696.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15606588 (View on PubMed)

Rosen HR, Kneist W, Furst A, Kramer G, Hebenstreit J, Schiemer JF. Randomized clinical trial of prophylactic transanal irrigation versus supportive therapy to prevent symptoms of low anterior resection syndrome after rectal resection. BJS Open. 2019 Mar 18;3(4):461-465. doi: 10.1002/bjs5.50160. eCollection 2019 Aug.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 31388638 (View on PubMed)

Rodrigues BDS, Rodrigues FP, Buzatti KCLR, Campanati RG, Profeta da Luz MM, Gomes da Silva R, Lacerda-Filho A. Feasibility Study of Transanal Irrigation Using a Colostomy Irrigation System in Patients With Low Anterior Resection Syndrome. Dis Colon Rectum. 2022 Mar 1;65(3):413-420. doi: 10.1097/DCR.0000000000002005.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33872283 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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MP-05-2022-2925

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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