Evaluation and Treatment of Pelvic Floor Disorders

ABSTRACT

Pelvic floor disorders are of interest to many surgeons who specialize in organ systems within this region. Colorectal surgeons are especially interested in disorders of the posterior compartment, which may broadly be divided into defecation disorders and fecal incontinence. These disorders distress patients socially and psychologically and greatly impair their quality of life. The underlying anatomical and pathophysiological changes are complex, are often incompletely understood, and cannot always be determined. However, over the past decades, advances in the understanding of these disorders, together with rational methods of evaluation in anorectal physiology laboratories, radiology studies, and new surgical techniques, have led to promising results. This review summarizes the evaluation and treatment strategies, as well as the recent updates on the clinical and the therapeutic aspects of pelvic floor disorders.