Clinical Significance of Perineal Descent in Pelvic Outlet Obstruction Diagnosed by using Defecography

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of perineal descent (PD) in pelvic outlet obstruction patients diagnosed by using defecography. METHODS: One hundred thirty-six patients with pelvic outlet obstruction (POO; median age 49 years) had more than one biofeedback session after defecography. Demographic finding, clinical bowel symptoms and anorectal physiological studies were compared for PD at rest and PD with dynamic changes. RESULTS: Age (r = 0.33; P < 0.001), rectocele diameter (r = 0.31; P < 0.01), symptoms of incontinence (P < 0.05) and number of vaginal deliveries (r = 0.46; P < 0.001) were correlated with increased fixed PD. However, the female gender (P < 0.005), rectal intussusceptions (P < 0.05), negative non-relaxing puborectalis syndrome (P < 0.00005) and rectocele (P < 0.0005) were correlated with increased dynamic PD. Duration of symptoms, number of bowel movements, history of pelvic surgery and difficult defecation were not related with PD. There was no significant correlation between fixed and dynamic PD and success of biofeedback therapy. CONCLUSION: Age, vaginal delivery and diameter of the rectocele are associated with increased fixed PD. Female gender, rectal intussusceptions and a rectocele are correlated with increased dynamic PD. Biofeedback is an effective option for POO regardless of severity of PD.

Investigation of Defecographic Findings in Patients with Pelvic Outlet Obstructive Disease

PURPOSE: Defecography is a dynamic investigation which can influence clinical decision making in patients with pelvic outlet obstructive disease (POOD). The current study was designed to establish defecographic findings in patients with POOD. Specifically, we sought to assess the physiologic characteristics of categorized types by using anorectal physiologic tests. METHODS: One hundred seven patients (disease group; 45 men, 62 women) with POOD were retrospectively categorized as type I [non-relaxation of puborectalis (NRPR) only, n=19], type II [NRPR and rectocele, n=20], type III [NRPR, rectocele, and dynamic perineal descent (PD), n=17], type IV [deformed rectocele, mild-to-moderate fixed PD, and absence of NRPR, n=29], and type V [rectocele, severe fixed PD, and absence of NRPR, n=20] on the bases of defecographic findings. The ability to evacuate, the frequency/degree of intarectal intussusception (IRI), and the size of the rectocele were evaulated in these defecographic types of POOD. Age, duration of symptoms, and the physiologic findings of anal manometry and EMG/PNTML were compared for the five types. Eighteen healthy volunteers who had no defecation difficulty were used to estimate the normal findings of defecography. RESULTS: The age and the sex showed no significant differences among the types. The duration of symptoms was gradually lengthened from type I to V (P<0.01). The ability to evacuate in patients with POOD was significantly worse (failed to effectively evacuate) compared to that in the healthy volunteers (P<0.01). The frequency of IRI was increased more and more from type I to V (P<0.01). The size of the rectocele was significantly increased in types V compared to the other types (P<0.01). Manometric and neurologic findings, including EMG/PNTML, revealed no significant differences among the types. CONCLUSIONS: Even though there were no specific differences in the findings of the anal manometric and neurologic tests, the evacuation dynamics; were different in the five defecographic categories of patients with POOD. Specifically, these differences were relevants to the presence of NRPR, rectoceles, IRI, and perineal descent.

Effect of Vaginal Delivery on Perineal Descent and Pudendal Nerve Terminal Motor Latency

PURPOSE: Significant associations between perineal descent (PD) and pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) have previously been described in patients with fecal incontinence. This had led to the hypothesis that pelvic floor muscle and nerve injury initiated by childbirth might progress and cause fecal incontinence. Purpose: This study was undertaken to evaluate the association between vaginal delivery and PD, PNTML. Also, we evaluated the correlation between PD and PNTML. Methods: Sixty one women who visited the Dept. of Surgery from Aug. 1998 to May. 1999 were randomly selected. Women were excluded, who had chronic constipation,operation within 6 months before the investigation, anal trauma, diabetes mellitus, and neurologic disease. They had a mean year of 43 12.5 years (range: 23~70), a mean vaginal delivery 1.9 1.5 (range: 0~6). PD at rest and during push, and PNTML were measured. Results: PD during push (p=0.006) and the change of PD between at rest and during push (p=0.003) were significantly increased with increasing number of vaginal deliveries. Rt PNTML (p=0.08) and Lt PNTML (p=0.03) were significantly increased with increasing number of vaginal deliveries. There was correlation between Lt PNTML and change of PD (r=0.59, p=0.0). Conclusions: PD and Lt PNTML was increased with repeated vaginal deliveries. Our findings support the hypothesis that damage induced by vaginal delivery to pudendal nerve and pelvic floor will progress.

Anorectal Physiology in the Rectal Prolapse Patient

PURPOSE: The aim of our study was to evaluate the physiological spectrum of anorectal dysfunction among patients with full thickness circunferential rectal prolapse. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between January 1988 and March 1995, 88 patients who visited department colorectal surgery, Cleveland Clinic Florida with rectal prolapse were studied. There were 8 males and 80 females, with a mean age 69 (range 28~101) years. Patients underwent a detailed history and the following anorectal physiology tests were performed: anal canal manometry, pudendal nerve terminal motor latency (PNTML) assessment, anal electromyography and cinedefecography.4 standard continence scoring system, based on the frequency and type of incontinence (0=full continence, 20=complete incontinence) was used. Patients with rectal prolapse (n=88) were divided into two subgroups: Group I=continent patients (n=33) and Group II= incontinent patients (n=55). RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences between each group when comparing mean resting pressures, anal pressures, anal canal length, rectal compliance, rectoanal inhibitory reflex, increased fiber density, the occurrence of premature evacuation (p0.05) between groups. CONCLUSION: Continence may be disturbed in patients with rectal prolapse; knowledge of impairment in continence may assist in surgical management.