Stapled trans-anal rectal resection

Stapled trans-anal rectal resection (STARR) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for conditions such as obstructed defecation syndrome, internal rectal prolapse, and rectocele. Circular surgical staplers are used to resect (remove) sections of the wall of the rectum via the anus. The defects are then closed with surgical staples. A modification of the technique is Contour Transtar. The average age of patients undergoing STARR is about 55 years, and 83% of procedures are carried out on females.

The procedure is controversial. The results of many thousands of STARR procedures have been published in research. Proponents state that the procedure is simple, minimally invasive, safe, and effective. Skeptics argue that the complications may be significant (fecal urgency, urge fecal incontinence) or rarely even life-threatening. There is a general trend away from STARR towards ventral rectopexy for surgical treatment of obstructed defecation syndrome.