Short-term outcomes after rehabilitation treatment in patients selected by a novel rehabilitation score system (Brusciano score) with or without previous stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) for rectal outlet obstruction

Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine short-term outcomes of rehabilitation treatment in patients with or without previous stapled transanal resection (STARR) for rectal outlet obstruction by using a novel rehabilitation score system (Brusciano score). Methods This is a retrospective cohort study conducted at a single tertiary referral institution including all patients with chronic functional constipation admitted to the outpatient unit from 2004 to 2009. Results Among 330 consecutive patients, 247 (74.8 %) (204 females and 43 males) showing a significantly higher rehabilitation score (mean of 15.7 ± 1.8; range, 7–25) than healthy controls (mean, 3.2 ± 1.2; range 2–6) ( p