Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS) affects almost 70% of patients after rectal resection for rectal cancer and is characterized by intestinal symptoms including urgency, fractioned defecation, and fecal incontinence. LARS is clinically diagnosed using the LARS score: a score higher than 21 indicates the presence of LARS and a score higher than 30 indicates severe LARS. The treatment opportunities for LARS are limited and failure rates are high. Gelsectan® is a class II device containing xyloglucans, xylo-oligosaccharides, pea proteins, and tannins from grape seeds extract, resulting effective in improving intestinal symptoms in patients with diarrheic Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Given the symptomatic similarities between LARS and IBS, Gelsectan® may represent a valid first line treatment for LARS patients.
The objective of this study is to provide preliminary data to determine whether the administration of Gelsectan® may ameliorate the symptoms of LARS.
