Transverse perineal support improves long-term outcomes in patients undergoing stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation syndrome: a multicenter observational case-control study.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and long-term efficacy of stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) combined with the transverse perineal support (TPS) procedure in the surgical treatment of obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) associated with internal rectal prolapse and excessive perineal descent (PD).

Methods: This multicenter observational case-control study involved 7 European centers. During the initial study period, patients underwent STARR alone (group 1), while in the subsequent period, patients received STARR combined with TPS (group 2).