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Clinical and pathologic factors associated with delayed diagnosis in solitary rectal ulcer syndrome.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome (SRUS) often goes unrecognized or is misdiagnosed. Of 98 patients with a final clinicopathologic diagnosis of SRUS, an initially incorrect diagnosis had been made in 25 patients (26 percent). In these 25 patients with a misdiagnosis, the median age was 43 years and the female-to-male ratio was 3.2:1. The median duration of incorrect diagnosis was five years (range, three months to 30 years), and seven patients received prednisone (> 30 mg/day) for a mistaken diagnosis of inflammatory bowel disease. The main clinical symptoms were rectal bleeding (84 percent) and a disturbance of bowel function (56 percent). Rectal prolapse was present in 13 patients. Original rectal biopsy specimens from 23 patients were reviewed; inadequate specimens and failure to recognize diagnostic features of SRUS contributed to delayed diagnosis in 13 and 10 patients, respectively. The most common clinicopathologic misdiagnoses in SRUS patients with rectal ulcers or mucosal hyperemia were Crohn's disease and mucosal ulcerative colitis. In patients with "polypoid" SRUS, diagnostic confusion was usually with a neoplastic polyp. Persistent bowel symptoms and rectal lesions led to review of the presentations and repeat biopsy directed toward the edge of the rectal ulcers or from within the polypoid or hyperemic rectal lesions, finally establishing the diagnosis of SRUS. Intractable symptoms led to surgery in 15 patients (60 percent), with symptomatic improvement in over two-thirds.

Adolescent↗

Is subtotal colectomy a viable option in the management of chronic constipation?

To determine if subtotal colectomy constitutes a valuable alternative in the treatment of patients with chronic constipation, a retrospective review of 52 consecutive patients who underwent subtotal colectomy between January 1980 and August 1985 was undertaken. Forty-six patients underwent ileodistal sigmoidostomy while five patients underwent ileoproctostomy and five with concomitant rectal prolapse underwent simultaneous proctopexy. A mortality rate of 3.8 percent and morbidity rate of 60 percent were encountered. The most frequently occurring complication was small-bowel obstruction, which occurred in 36 percent, and necessitated laparotomy in 66 percent. Additional procedures were necessary in five patients because of newly discovered rectal prolapse (two patients), rectocele (one patient), unrelieved constipation (one patient), and incapacitating incontinence (one patient). Follow-up data available in 94 percent (mean, 46 months) disclosed that patients had an average of 2.8 bowel movements per day without the use of laxatives (89 percent) or enemas (80 percent). Overall, 79 percent were satisfied with the final outcome. It is concluded that subtotal colectomy constitutes a viable option in the treatment of chronic constipation. However, the significant morbidity and mortality associated with the procedure dictate the need for careful patient selection on the basis of appropriate physiologic testing.

Colectomy↗

[The prolapse of the rectum. Treatment with fibrin adhesive].

Injection of sclerosing solutions into the rectal submucosa or into the perirectal space is one of the many therapies designed to correct rectal prolapse. Since 1994, four patients affected with this condition have been treated with fibrin adhesive percutaneous injection. Up to now, this product had not been used to this aim. Age range was from 1 month to 8 years. The medium duration of prolapse prior to therapy was 19 months and three of them had an associated pathology (myelomeningocele, cystic fibrosis and severe psychomotor retardation). There were no post-injection complications. In one patient with an irreducible prolapse an anus encirclement with a rectal tube was associated. Except for this patient, the whole process take less than 24 hours. With a medium follow up of 11 months this therapy has resulted effective in three of our four patients. It has failed in a girl with severe psychomotor retardation.

Child↗

Assessment of chronic constipation: colon transit time versus defecography.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the value of radiological colon transit time (CTT) measurements in relation to defecography (DFG) in chronically constipated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 30 patients with chronic constipation, total and segmental CTT was determined using radiopaque markers. In all of these patients defecography (DFG) was obtained. The patients were divided into three groups: In group I, 11 patients were classified with idiopathic constipation based on low stool frequency, normal DFG, or absence of symptoms of abnormal defecation. In group II, ten patients with rectal intussusception were diagnosed by DFG. In group III, there were nine patients with rectal prolapse or spastic pelvic floor syndrome, based on results of DFG. RESULTS: Group I, idiopathic constipation (n = 11), showed increased total CTT (mean, 93 h) and segmental CTT (right colon, 33 h (36%), left colon, 31 h (33%), rectosigmoid, 29 h (31%)). In group II, intussusception (n = 10), patients had normal mean total CTT (54 h) and a relative decrease in rectosigmoid CTT (mean, 13 h (24%)). In group III (n =9), rectal prolapse (n = 5) or spastic pelvic floor syndrome (n = 4), patients showed elevated total (mean, 167 h) and rectosigmoidal CTT (mean, 95 h (57%)). Mean total CTT was significantly different between groups I and II and between groups II and III, and mean rectosigmoidal CTT was significantly different between all three groups (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The use of total and rectosigmoidal CTT helps to identify the underlying pathophysiology of chronic constipation. Furthermore CTT helps to identify patients, who may benefit from DFG.

Adult↗

Clinical conundrum of solitary rectal ulcer.

A retrospective study of 80 patients with biopsy-proven solitary rectal ulcer (SRU) was conducted to review its clinical spectrum. The median follow-up was 25 months. The female-to-male ratio was 1.4:1.0, and the mean age was 48.7 years (range, 14-76 years). Principal symptoms were bowel disturbances (74 percent) and rectal bleeding (56 percent). Twenty-one patients (26 percent) were asymptomatic and required no treatment. A previous "wrong" diagnosis was made in 25 percent. Rectal prolapse was identified in 28 percent (full-thickness, 15 percent; mucosal, 13 percent). The macroscopic appearance of the lesion seen in SRU varied widely and included polypoid lesions in 44 percent (the predominant finding in the asymptomatic group), ulcerated lesions in 29 percent (always symptomatic), and edematous, nonulcerated, hyperemic mucosa in 27 percent. Anorectal manometry provided little helpful information in the patients in whom it was performed. Management by bulk laxatives and bowel retraining led to symptomatic improvement in 19 percent of cases. In 29 percent of cases, symptoms persisted despite endoscopic healing of the lesion. Intractability of symptoms led to surgery in only 27 (34 percent) patients. Depending on the presence or absence of rectal prolapse, rectopexy or a conservative local procedure (such as local excision), respectively, appeared to be the optimal surgical treatment. The polypoid variety tended to respond to therapy more favorably than non-polypoid varieties. Thus, the macroscopic appearance of SRU has a significant bearing on the clinical course, and most cases do not require surgery.

Adolescent↗

Three-flap anoplasty for imperforate anus: results for primary procedure or for redoes.

UNLABELLED: Three-flap anoplasty was first described in 1987 by Yazbeck for the treatment of rectal prolapse after pull-through operations for imperforate anus, and in 1992 in a case of anterior perineal approach. It is intended to reproduce the normal anatomy of a sensitive anal canal. The purpose of this study is to evaluate 14 children (9 boys and 5 girls) operated for imperforate anus. METHOD: Eleven children had an intermediate or high imperforate anus and 3 had a low imperforate anus. Nine were operated for the first time with a three-flap anoplasty (GrA), and 5 were reoperated with this technique because of fecal incontinence and/or rectal prolapse (GrB). Seven patients had associated malformations: one Hirschsprung's disease, one cloacal defect with renal insufficiency, three complex caudal malformations with tethered cord, one Down syndrome, and two psychological and psychomotor troubles. The patients (average age = 6 years) have been evaluated every year since 1997, with a questionnaire based on a clinical score validated with 30 healthy children, used as a control group. Ten anal manometries were carried out. RESULTS: In 1998, the GrA score was 16.1 (control = 22.5) and the GrB score was 11.5 (p = 0.25). In 1999, GrA and GrB score were approximately the same. The score of those without associated anomalies was 19.6 whereas the score of the children with other malformations or anomalies was 10 (p = 0.02). Anal manometry is almost normal in patients with low or intermediate imperforate anus (rectoanal relaxation reflex for 10 cm H2O, and basal resting pressure more than 40 cm H2O). Even though anal manometry is subnormal in patients with Down syndrome or psychomotor troubles, the clinical score remains low (score = 10). In cases of complex caudal malformations or high imperforate anus, the results of anal manometry and clinical score are bad (score 9.7). CONCLUSION: The three-flap anoplasty can be carried out in newborns without colostomy and often represents the only possible surgical approach to avoid a laparotomy. This plasty, proposed secondarily to correct a defect of continence, can be performed without colostomy, with satisfactory results.

Anus, Imperforate↗

Evacuation proctography in obstructed defaecation and rectal intussusception.

The symptoms of obstructed defaecation may present as a number of different syndromes including descending perineum, solitary rectal ulcer, irritable bowel and mucosal or complete rectal prolapse. In order to clarify the pathophysiology of obstructed defaecation we carried out dynamic and static radiological investigations together with manometric and electrophysiological measurements in ten patients with severe, intractable obstructed defaecation. Results were compared with a total of 35 control subjects. There were no significant differences in sphincter pressures or the recto-anal inhibitory reflex between patients and controls. Mean motor unit potential duration was prolonged in patients compared with controls (P less than 0.02) in the puborectalis and external sphincter indicative of neuropathic changes. X-ray measurements of the anorectal angle and perineal descent at rest showed no differences. However, obstructed defaecation patients had a greater increase in anorectal angle on straining (P less than 0.02) and significantly more descent on straining (P less than 0.002). Fast film sequence evacuation proctography showed that the anal canal was occluded by anterior rectal wall in four patients and five patients had variants of recto-rectal intussusception without overt rectal prolapse, which explained the obstructive symptoms. This information should allow the surgeon to follow a rational treatment programme based on the anatomical abnormality.

Adult↗

[Anorectal functional study. The state of the art].

Disturbances of anal continence and evacuation are frequent. Numerous techniques are now available to measure anorectal function. There is also a better understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the pelvic floor which has a major role in anorectal function. ANORECTAL MANOMETRY. Manometry of the anal canal is an index of the resistance of sphincters to the passage of faeces. Resting pressure is due mainly to the internal anal sphincter whereas voluntary contraction is due mainly to the external anal sphincter. Anorectal manometry is essential in measuring the length of the anal canal and in establishing the presence of the rectoanal inhibitory reflex. Several techniques are employed to evaluate anorectal manometry which is useful in the investigation of patients with faecal incontinence and constipation. PUDENDAL LATENCIES: Pudendal latencies are valuable in the study of the innervation of the external anal sphincter. Pudendal latencies are measured thanks to the stimulation of the S2-S4 nerves lying in the proximity of the ischial spine through the use of a special glove (St Mark's glove). Prolonged pudendal latencies are typical of neurogenic faecal incontinence but it can be brought about by childbirth, rectal prolapse, obstructed defecation and old age. ELECTROMYOGRAPHY. Electromyography is useful in the study of the function of the pelvic floor. This technique can be performed with single fibre needles which make it possible to measure the action potentials and the fibre density of the muscular fibres. Fibre density is raised in neurogenic faecal incontinence and the action potentials are polyphasic in this condition. Concentric needles are employed to map the anal sphincters and this is useful for evaluating the extent of the damage caused by traumatic events like a third degree tear. ANAL ENDOSONOGRAPHY. Anal ultrasound is very effective in the study of the morphology of the anal sphincters and it requires a rectal probe fitted with a 7-MHz transducer. It is as accurate as electromyography in evaluating the damage to the anal sphincters but it is not painful and it is more acceptable to the patient. DEFECOGRAPHY. This radiological test is a dynamic study of the pelvic floor during defecation. It is very useful for investigating the function and the morphology of the rectum and the pelvic floor during defecation. Important parameters like: the anorectal angle, the opening of the anal canal, the position of the pelvic floor and the descent of the perineum can be evaluated with this test. Defecography is useful in the study of patients with rectal prolapse and constipation. CONCLUSION. All these tests provide extremely useful information on the pelvic floor and are reproducible. They can be of great help in evaluating patients with pelvic floor disorders but they are no substitute for clinical judgement.

Anal Canal↗

Complications and recurrence after excision of rectal internal mucosal prolapse for obstructed defaecation.

BACKGROUND: Rectal internal mucosal prolapse (RIMP) may cause obstructed defaecation and encouraging short-term results have been reported after its transanal excision. The objective of this retrospective study was to assess both clinical and functional outcome after this procedure alone for patients presenting with evacuatory difficulty. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty patients (30 females, mean age 54 years), all suffering from obstructed defaecation, underwent RIMP excision at our unit during the last 11 years. RIMP was of first degree in three patients, of second degree in 21, and of third degree in 16 with 28/40 cases (70%) having associated anorectal pathology. The operation was carried out by hand suture (submucosal excision, Sarles endorectal excision, or the Delorme mucosectomy) in 26 patients, by circular stapled prolapsectomy in nine patients, or by combined manual and stapled techniques in five cases. Proctoscopy was carried out after 2 months for all patients, with anorectal manometry in 30 patients. Patients were independently assessed by state-trait anxiety scales for attendant anxiety and depression. RESULTS: Eighteen patients (45%) had significant postoperative complications with a surgical reintervention rate of 32.5%. Overall, 21 patients (52%) reported recurrent constipation and of these 14 (65%) had recurrent RIMP; six patients were treated successfully by rubber-band ligation alone. Two patients (5%) experienced new onset faecal incontinence. The recurrence rate of RIMP was unaffected by the type of operation, being 53% after manual techniques and 48% after combined procedures. There was no difference between postoperative manometric values in patients presenting with recurrent RIMP or constipation compared with those without RIMP or constipation on follow-up. Forty-eight percent of the patients with both recurrent constipation plus RIMP had manometric evidence of non-relaxing puborectalis syndrome compared with 26% with RIMP but without constipation (P<0.05). Ten of the 14 patients (71%) with anxiety and/or depression complained of recurrent constipation after surgery compared with nine of the 26 patients (24%) with normal psychological profiles (P<0.01). Patients with a preoperative rectocele were more likely to suffer from recurrent constipation than those without rectocele (eight out of 15, 53.3% vs. seven out of 25, 28%; P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Primary excision of RIMP does not seem an effective treatment for obstructed defecation with predictive factors for an adverse outcome in terms of recurrence (RIMP and constipation) including the presence of preoperative non-relaxing puborectalis syndrome and a demonstrated anxiety or depression psychological profile. The technique of prolapsectomy does not seem to affect outcome.

Adult↗

A constipation scoring system to simplify evaluation and management of constipated patients.

PURPOSE: Constipation is a common complaint; however, clinical presentation varies with each individual. The aim of this study was to assess a standard scoring system for evaluation of constipated patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with idiopathic constipation who were referred for anorectal physiologic testing were assessed. A subjective constipation score was calculated based on a detailed questionnaire that included over 100 constipation-related symptoms. Based on the questionnaire, scores ranged from 0 to 30, with 0 indicating normal and 30 indicating severe constipation. The constipation score was then compared with the objective findings of the physiology tests, which include colonic transit time (CTT), anal manometry (AM), cinedefecography (CD), and electromyography (EMG). Colonic inertia was defined as diffuse marker delay on CTT without evidence of paradoxical contraction on AM, CD, or EMG. Pelvic outlet obstruction was defined as paradoxical puborectalis contraction, rectal prolapse or rectoanal intussusception, rectocele, or sigmoidocele. RESULTS: A total of 232 patients (185 females and 47 males) of a mean age of 64.9 (range, 14-92) years were evaluated. All patients had a score of more than 15; on evaluation of the significance of different symptoms in the constipation score with the Pearson's linear correlation test, 8 of 18 factors were identified as significant (P < 0.05). These factors included frequency of bowel movements, painful evacuation, incomplete evacuation, abdominal pain, length of time per attempt, assistance for evacuation, unsuccessful attempts for evacuation per 24 hours, and duration of constipation. All 232 patients had objective obstruction attributable to one or more of the following causes: paradoxical puborectalis contraction (81), significant rectocele or sigmoidocele (48), rectoanal intussusception (64), and rectal prolapse (9). CONCLUSION: The proposed constipation scoring system correlated well with objective physiologic findings in constipated patients to allow uniformity in assessment of the severity of constipation.

Adolescent↗

Surgery for faecal incontinence in adults.

BACKGROUND: Faecal incontinence is a debilitating problem with significant medical, social and economic implications. Treatment options include conservative, non-operative interventions (e.g. pelvic floor muscle training, biofeedback, drugs) and surgical procedures. Surgery is used in selected groupsof people when the structural and functional defects in the pelvic floor muscles or the anal sphincter complex can be corrected mechanically. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of established surgical techniques for the treatment of faecal incontinence in adults who do not have rectal prolapse. Our aims were firstly to compare surgical management with non-surgical management and secondly, to compare the various surgical techniques. SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Incontinence Group trials register, the Cochrane Colorectal Cancer Group trials register, the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (Issue 2, 1999), Medline (up to March 1999), Embase (1998 up to January 1999), Sigle (1980 up to December 1996), Biosis (1998 up to March 1999), SCI (1998 up to March 1999), ISTP (1982 up to March 1999) and the reference lists of relevant articles. We specifically hand searched the British Journal of Surgery from 1995 to 1998 and the Diseases of the Colon and Rectum from 1995 to 1998. We also perused the proceedings of the Association of Coloproctology, meeting 1999. Date of the most recent literature searches: March 1999. SELECTION CRITERIA: All randomised or quasi-randomised trials of surgery in the management of adult faecal incontinence (other then surgery for rectal prolapse). DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two reviewers independently selected studies from the literature, extracted data and assessed the methodological quality of eligible trials. The three primary outcome measures were: change or deterioration in incontinence, failure to achieve full continence, and the presence of faecal urgency. MAIN RESULTS: Four trials were included with a total sample size of 110 participants. All trials excluded women with anal sphincter defects detected by endoanal ultrasound examination. No trial included a group managed non-surgically. Two trials (56 participants) compared three approaches to pelvic floor repair (anterior levatorplasty, postanal repair and their combination total pelvic floor repair). One trial (30 participants) evaluated adding plication of the anal sphincter to total pelvic floor repair. The fourth trial (24 participants) compared a neosphincter procedure with total pelvic floor repair. No differences in the primary outcomes were detected, but data were few and inconsistently reported. REVIEWER'S CONCLUSIONS: The small number of relevant trials identified together with their small sample sizes and other methodological weaknesses severely limit the usefulness of this review for guiding practice. It was impossible to identify or refute clinically important differences between the alternative surgical procedures. Larger rigorous trials are needed.

Adult↗

Measurement of the anorectal angle by defecography for the diagnosis of fecal incontinence.

We assessed the reliability of anorectal angle (ARA) measurement as an index of fecal incontinence. The "posterior" ARA was measured at rest, squeezing, and straining in 69 continent and 82 incontinent subjects all complaining of various evacuation dysfunctions. The two groups were homogeneous with regard to sex distribution (48.6% vs. 51.4% men and 44.7% vs. 55.3% women, n.s.) and age (56.5 +/- 10.2 vs. 59.3 +/- 9.7 years, n.s.). The incidence of rectal prolapse was the same in the two groups (40 each). The intraobserver agreement index from two independent measurements (Pearson's correlation coefficient), age, and gender interaction [T2 Hotelling test in multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA)] and the most discriminating category of ARA measurement (Fisher's F test in ANOVA) were calculated. In addition, the relationship between ARA and severity of incontinence was assessed by the eta coefficient. Pearson's correlation coefficient was between 0.78 and 0.98 (P < 0.01). The mean ARA differed significantly between the continent and incontinent subjects (104.5 +/- 10.3 degrees vs. 116.2 +/- 23.6 degrees at rest, 84.5 +/- 14.2 degrees vs. 95.1 +/- 20.1 degrees on squeezing, and 133.7 +/- 21.7 degrees vs. 141.7 +/- 25.9 degrees on straining; T2 0.066, P < 0.05 in multivariate ANOVA). No interaction was noted between groups and gender (T2 = 0.023; F = 1.11, n.s.). Resting ARA was shown by ANOVA to be the most discriminating index (F = 9.4 P < 0.01) between the two groups. Overall, ARA measurement was correlated with the severity of fecal incontinence (eta coefficient: 0.894 at rest; 0.811 on squeezing; 0.695 on straining); its accuracy was 79%, the false-positive rate was 15.3% and the false-negative rate 26.5%. Irrespective of the underlying abnormality, namely rectal prolapse, ARA measurement by defecography can: (a) be reinterpreted reliably by the same observer and (b) differentiate continent from incontinent subjects.

Adolescent↗

Simultaneous defecography and peritoneography in defecation disorders.

UNLABELLED: A number of physiologic and radiologic investigations are used in investigating defecation disorders. Defecography is one important part of these investigations. However, a correct diagnosis of an enterocele is sometimes difficult despite use of contrast media in the rectum, vagina, and small bowel. PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to ascertain if it was technically possible to perform simultaneous defecography and peritoneography in an effort to improve the diagnostic possibilities in patients with defecation disorders. METHODS: Twelve patients with defecation disorders and an unexplained widening of the rectovaginal space at defecography were investigated. Contrast medium was introduced intraperitoneally, after which conventional defecography was performed. RESULTS: All investigations were carried out without complications and demonstrated the peritoneal outline in all patients. Simultaneous defecography and peritoneography differentiated between an enterocele and a pathologically deep pouch of Douglas--a peritoneocele. Three types of peritoneocele were visualized: vaginal peritoneocele, septal peritoneocele, and rectal peritoneocele with or without enterocele. Combinations of the three types were also found. Eight of the 12 patients had rectal intussusception or rectal prolapse. All of these eight patients had a rectal peritoneocele. CONCLUSIONS: Simultaneous defecography and peritoneography can be performed without technical difficulties or complications. Peritoneal outlines and pouches can, therefore, be studied directly during the act of defecation. An unexplained widening of the rectovaginal space at defecography can be clarified as a peritoneocele, with or without an enterocele. Peritoneocele can be of three different types: rectal, septal, or vaginal.

Aged↗

Nodular lymphoid hyperplasia of the intestinal tract in infancy and childhood.

Over an 18-year period we have diagnosed nodular lymphoid polyposis of the intestinal tract in 6 patients. The site of the polyposis, which was due to prominent lymphoid hyperplasia, was ileal (3), colonic (2), and rectal (1). The diagnosis was made following complications arising from the polyps, which included recurrent intussusception (2), rectal prolapse (1), intestinal or pseudointestinal obstruction (2), and rectal bleeding (1). Immunoglobulin staining was performed on all the bowel specimens and in every case secretory IgA was present on the mucosal surfaces and IgG and IgA were seen in the lamina propria, thus excluding immunodeficiency in these patients. Viral studies were performed in 3 patients and all were positive. In one patient Echovirus II was seen in tissue homogenate from a mesenteric lymph node and in another, adenovirus type II was cultured from lymphoid polyps of the rectum. A further patient had positive serological tests for adenovirus. Thus it appears that nodular lymphoid hyperplasia is part of the generalized lymphoid hyperplasia associated with viral infections in infancy and childhood. Immunodeficiency states as a cause of the lymphoid hyperplasia should always be excluded by estimation of serum immunoglobulins.

Child↗

Cinedefecographic findings in patients with obstructed defecation sindrome. A study in 420 cases.

AIM: Obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) represents a very common clinical problem. The aim of this study was to analyze the cinedefecographic findings in a group of patients with ODS. METHODS: All patients with ODS were prospectively introduced into a database and underwent cinedefecography (CD). The grade of the syndrome was assessed by a new ODS score. The validated Agachan-Wexner Constipation Score System was also used. Four lateral films were taken during resting, squeeze, pushing and postevacuation phases and puborectalis length (PRL), anorectal angle (ARA) and perineal descent were recorded and analysed. The presence of an increased fixed perineal descent (FPD) and dynamic perineal descent (DPD), mucosal rectal prolapse (MRP), recto-rectal intussusception (RRI), recto-anal intussusception (RAI), rectocele (RE), enterocele (ET) and sigmoidocele (SG) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Between February 2002 and March 2005, 420 patients, 404 (96.1%) females and 16 (3.8%) males with a mean age of 49+/-7.7 (range, 21-77) years, underwent CD. In 362 (86.2%) patients CD showed a combination of different cinedefecographic findings. RE, FPD and DPD in association with RAI or RRI were contemporary observed in 118 (26%) patients. MRP, RRI, FPD, RAI and RE were observed as singular finding in 21 (5%), 19 (4.5%), 12 (2.8%), 3 (0.7%) and 3 (0.7%) patients, respectively. In 6 (1.4%) patients a paradoxical contraction of the puborectalis muscle was observed. CONCLUSIONS: CD shows that ODS is largely caused by multiple patterns of different abnormalities of the rectum and pelvic floor. Any treatment in symptomatic patients could be designed to treat multiple combinations of different abnormalities.

Adult↗

Abdominal suture proctopexy for complete prolapse of rectum.

Eighteen patients, 13 males and 5 females, with complete rectal prolapse have been treated by suture proctopexy during the period 1987-1989 with no operative mortality and very little morbidity. There was only one case of recurrence during a 3-year follow-up for which a repeat identical procedure was successful. There was some disturbance in faecal continence pre-operatively in 14 cases, of whom, 13 cases were improved by suture proctopexy. There was no significant change in bowel habit postoperatively, with the exception of 2 patients who had constipation postoperatively but one reverted to normal on re-education of bowel habit. All the patients had normal urinary and sexual function. This relatively simple procedure was well tolerated by the patients.

Adult↗

Perineal excision of the rectum for prolapse in the elderly.

A perineal operation is described for the treatment of rectal prolapse. The surgery improves functional outcome by correcting the anatomical anomalies associated with the condition. In 17 elderly women, there was one perioperative death and one recurrence. At a median follow-up of 24 months, 13 patients were able to control solid stool and three were profoundly incontinent. The operation may be an alternative to the more invasive abdominal procedures for the treatment of the majority of patients with prolapse.

Aged↗

The physiological evaluation of operative repair for incontinence and prolapse.

Women with incontinence were divided into 30 with anorectal incontinence and 63 with complete rectal prolapse. The former group comprised 14 with a sphincter disruption and the remainder with intact sphincters. After anterior sphincter repair 70% were restored to acceptable continence. Success was associated with a rise in resting and voluntary contraction pressures and improved anal sensation. Patients with prolapse underwent either anterior and posterior rectopexy, or resection rectopexy. Continence was improved in both groups. Postoperatively, 90% following resection rectopexy and 80% following anterior and posterior rectopexy were restored to acceptable continence. Postoperative defaecatory straining and incomplete evacuation were reduced, with no significant differences between the two procedures. Restoration of continence was not associated with any change in sphincter pressures. However, rectal sensory threshold and anal sensation were both improved.

Adult↗