Role and significance of pelvic four-contrast defecography in the diagnosis of outlet obstructive constipation / 中华胃肠外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the changes in pelvic floor morphology and relationships of the pelvic organs in patients with outlet obstructive constipation (OOC).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-nine OOC patients and 12 healthy volunteers were examined by simultaneous pelvic four-contrast defecography, including pelvicography, vaginal opacification, voiding cystography and defecography. The levels of perineum, peritoneum and bladder, and anorectal angle were measured and recorded.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 59 OOC patients, 46 cases of internal rectal prolapse (IRP), 29 cases of pelvic floor hernia, 7 cases of rectocele (RC), 7 cases of spastic pelvic floor syndrome (SPFS), 5 cases of descending perineum syndrome were diagnosed by pelvic four-contrast defecography. Six cystoceles and 10 uterine prolapses were also found by pelvic four-contrast defecography. Compared with healthy volunteers, OOC patients had significantly large anorectal angles during defecation (P<0.05), abnormality descending of perineum during rest and defecation (P<0.05, P<0.01), and a deep pouch of Douglas during defecation (P<0.01). OOC patients combined with urinary system symptoms had an abnormal descent of the bladder during rest and defecation (P<0.05, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Pelvic four-contrast defecography is an effective method for the diagnosis of IRP, RC, pelvic floor hernia, peritoneocele, cystocele and uterine prolapse, and is helpful in the selection of proper surgical procedures for the treatment of OOC.</p>

Study on distribution of interstitial cells of Cajal in the sigmoid colon of patients with slow transit constipation / 中华外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Slow transit constipation (STC) is a colonic motor disorder whose etiology remains unclear. Recent studies have demonstrated a crucial role for interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) in regulation of intestinal motility. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of ICC within the normal sigmoid colon and STC patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Twelve patients with STC and eight age-matched controls were studied. ICC were identified with a monoclonal antibody to c-kit by an indirect immunofluorescence method. Immunostained tissues were examined with a laser scanning confocal microscope and the area occupied by ICC was calculated with image analysis software.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>ICC were located in the external muscle layers including longitudinal muscle (LM), myenteric plexus (MP), circular muscle (CM) and submucosal border (SMB). Two types of Kit-positive ICC were observed: bipolar cells characterized by one or two long processes, and multipolar cells with long stellate processes extending in various directions. A higher percentage of ICC was present in the MP regions and CM layers compared with the SMB and LM layers. Tissues from STC patients showed considerably decreased in number of ICC located in the four regions (ICC-LM, ICC-MP, ICC-CM, ICC-SMP), especially for ICC-SMP, almost completely disappeared.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Decreased c-kit + ICC in number may play an important role in the pathophysiology of STC. It remains to be determined whether loss of ICC is primary or secondary to another lesion.</p>