OBJECTIVETo evaluate and compare the value of dynamic multiple pelvic angiography and pelvic four-contrast defecography in the diagnosis of functional defecation disorder.

METHODSFrom September 2014 to July 2015, a prospective controlled trial was carried out in Chengdu Anorectal Hospital. A total of 32 patients met the inclusion criteria of functional defecation disorder simultaneously underwent pelvic four-contrast defecography and dynamic multiple pelvic angiography. The diagnostic results of these two methods were compared.

RESULTSThe absolute values of anorectal angle and level of perineum, peritoneum and bladder from rest to defecation were (29.6±13.6)°, (26.2±14.2) mm, (55.5±25.6) mm and (28.9±16.5) mm in dynamic multiple pelvic angiography, and (24.6±5.8)° (18.7±10.6) mm, (34.5±18.4) mm and (19.2±11.8) mm in pelvic four-contrast defecography respectively, whose differences were statistically significant (P = 0.026, 0.022, 0.000, 0.011 respectively). The diagnostic rate of pelvic peritoneal hernia was 93.8%(30/32) and 68.8%(22/32) in dynamic multiple pelvic angiography and pelvic four-contrast defecography respectively with significant difference(P=0.011).

CONCLUSIONDynamic multiple pelvic angiography has significant advantage in the diagnosis of pelvic peritoneal hernia, and can provide a more objective basis for the diagnosis of functional defecation disorder.

Angiography ; methods ; Constipation ; diagnosis ; Defecation ; Defecography ; methods ; Humans ; Pelvis ; Perineum ; Prospective Studies

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Chronic constipation is a common gastrointestinal disorder diagnosed using Rome III criteria. Defecography is a radiographic method used to identify anatomic abnormalities of anorectum. The present study aimed to evaluate the defecographic findings in patients with severe idiopathic chronic constipation. METHODS: One hundred patients, who complained of severe idiopathic chronic constipation with abnormal balloon expulsion test, underwent defecography after injection of barium. An analysis of radiographs was performed by an expert radiologist for the diagnosis of descending perineum syndrome, rectocele, enterocele, rectal ulcer, rectal prolapse, fecal residue of post defecation, and etc. Then, they were compared between the two sexes. RESULTS: Normal defecography was only observed in two participants. Descending perineum syndrome was the most common abnormality (73.3%). The results showed that rectocele (80.8%) and descending perineum syndrome (69.2%) were most frequent in women. In males, descending perineum syndrome and rectal prolapse were more prevalent (87% and 43.5%, respectively). Compared with men, rectocele and rectal ulcer were more frequently observed in women (p<0.001, and p=0.04, respectively), while men were more affected by descending perineum syndrome (p=0.04). In total, women had a greater incidence of abnormal defecographic findings compared with men (p=0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Defecography can be performed to detect anatomic abnormalities in patients with severe idiopathic chronic constipation and abnormal balloon expulsion test. This technique can assist physicians in making the most suitable decision for surgical procedure.
Barium ; Constipation* ; Defecation ; Defecography ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hernia ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Methods ; Perineum ; Rectal Prolapse ; Rectocele ; Ulcer

OBJECTIVETo determine the total and segmental colonic transit time of normal Chinese children and to explore its value in constipation in children.

METHODSThe subjects involved in this study were divided into 2 groups. One group was control, which had 33 healthy children (21 males and 12 females) aged 2 - 13 years (mean 5 years). The other was constipation group, which had 25 patients (15 males and 10 females) aged 3 - 14 years (mean 7 years) with constipation according to Benninga's criteria. Written informed consent was obtained from the parents of each subject. In this study the simplified method of radio opaque markers was used to determine the total gastrointestinal transit time and segmental colonic transit time of the normal and constipated children, and in part of these patients X-ray defecography was also used.

RESULTSThe total gastrointestinal transit time (TGITT), right colonic transit time (RCTT), left colonic transit time (LCTT) and rectosigmoid colonic transit time (RSTT) of the normal children were 28.7 +/- 7.7 h, 7.5 +/- 3.2 h, 6.5 +/- 3.8 h and 13.4 +/- 5.6 h, respectively. In the constipated children, the TGITT, LCTT and RSTT were significantly longer than those in controls (92.2 +/- 55.5 h vs 28.7 +/- 7.7 h, P < 0.001; 16.9 +/- 12.6 h vs 6.5 +/- 3.8 h, P < 0.01; 61.5 +/- 29.0 h vs 13.4 +/- 5.6 h, P < 0.001), while the RCTT had no significant difference. X-ray defecography demonstrated one rectocele, one perineal descent syndrome and one puborectal muscle syndrome, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe TGITT, RCTT, LCTT and RSTT of the normal children were 28.7 +/- 7.7 h, 7.5 +/- 3.2 h, 6.5 +/- 3.8 h and 13.4 +/- 5.6 h, respectively. With the segmental colonic transit time, constipation can be divided into four types: slow-transit constipation, outlet obstruction, mixed type and normal transit constipation. X-ray defecography can demonstrate the anatomical or dynamic abnormalities within the anorectal area, with which constipation can be further divided into different subtypes, and combined use of the gastrointestinal transit time and X-ray defecography is of clinical importance in exploration of etiology of constipation.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; Defecography ; methods ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Transit ; Humans ; Male ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in pelvic floor morphology and relationships of the pelvic organs in patients with outlet obstructive constipation (OOC).

METHODSFifty-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.

RESULTSAmong 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).

CONCLUSIONPelvic 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.

Adult ; Aged ; Case-Control Studies ; Constipation ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Defecography ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvis ; diagnostic imaging

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the sensitivity and feasibility of pelvic floor dynamic MRI combining defecography with homemade high conformable sacculus in the management of obstructed defecation syndrome.

METHODSOne hundred and nine female with pelvic floor disorders, such as difficult defecation, fecal incontinence or urinary incontinence, pelvic pain, were treated from July 2007 to March 2009. Pelvic floor dynamic MRI and defecography with homemade high conformable sacculus was performed in the patients to evaluate pelvic floor anatomy.

RESULTSFifty-four cases (49.6%) of cystocele and 11 cases (10.1%) of rectouterine pouch hernia, 29 cases (26.6%) of perineum prolapse and 71 cases (65.2%) of rectocele were found by dynamic MRI. The dynamic MRI also revealed 19 cases (18.2%) of external sphincter trophy and 32 cases (29.4%) of spastic pelvic floor syndrome. Compared with defecography, dynamic MRI was more positive in diagnosing enterocele. Defecography Of the patients, sacrum-rectal separate was found in 33 cases (30.3%) and rectal mucosal prolapse or internal rectal intussusceptions in 41 cases (37.7%) by defecography, while dynamic MRI found none.

CONCLUSIONSAs a new noninvasive imaging technique to evaluate the pelvic floor function, dynamic MRI is more sensitive, especially for patients with complicated multi-organs prolapse, and its deficiency could be remedied by defecography.

Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Defecography ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Floor ; physiopathology ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Young Adult

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the predictive capability of anorectal physiologic tests for unfavorable outcomes prior to the initiation of biofeedback therapy in patients with dyssynergic defecation. We analyzed a total of 80 consecutive patients who received biofeedback therapy for chronic idiopathic functional constipation with dyssynergic defecation. After classifying the patients into two groups (responders and non-responders), univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the predictors associated with the responsiveness to biofeedback therapy. Of the 80 patients, 63 (78.7%) responded to biofeedback therapy and 17 (21.3%) did not. On univariate analysis, the inability to evacuate an intrarectal balloon (P=0.028), higher rectal volume for first, urgent, and maximal sensation (P=0.023, P=0.008, P=0.007, respectively), and increased anorectal angle during squeeze (P=0.020) were associated with poor outcomes. On multivariate analysis, the inability to evacuate an intrarectal balloon (P=0.018) and increased anorectal angle during squeeze (P=0.029) were both found to be independently associated with a lack of response to biofeedback therapy. Our data show that the two anorectal physiologic test factors are associated with poor response to biofeedback therapy for patients with dyssynergic defecation. These findings may assist physicians in predicting the responsiveness to therapy for this patient population.
Adult ; Aged ; Anal Canal/*physiopathology ; Ataxia/*physiopathology/therapy ; *Biofeedback, Psychology ; *Constipation/physiopathology/therapy ; Defecation/*physiology ; Defecography/methods ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Rectum/*physiopathology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of partial stapled transanal rectal resection (part-STARR) combined with Bresler procedure in the treatment of obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) associated with rectocele and internal rectal intussusception(IRI), and compare with STARR.

METHODSA randomized controlled study from January 2013 to December 2014 was undertaken. Sixty female patients with ODS caused by rectocele and IRI were prospectively enrolled and randomly divided into trial group (29 cases) receiving part-STARR combined with Bresler procedure, and control group (31 cases) undergoing STARR only. For patients in trial group, two thirds of posterior rectal wall were stapled with STARR methods and one third of anterior with Bresler procedure, while for those in control group, only STARR was performed. Intra-operational status, postoperative complications, Wexner constipation score and patient satisfaction 3 months and 6 months after operation, and rectocele defecography 6 months after operation were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe average operation time of trial group was longer than that of control group [(31.2±5.4) minutes vs. (28.7±4.0) minutes, t=2.127, P=0.038]. There were no significant differences in intra-operative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay and complications(pain, postoperative bleeding, rectovaginal fistula, feeling of tenesmus and swelling) between the two methods(all P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the Wexner score of constipation between the two groups before operation and 3 months after operation (6.72±1.19 vs. 7.32±1.25, t=-1.896, P=0.063), while the Wexner score of trial group was significantly lower 6 months after operation (6.90±1.42 vs. 7.74±1.26, t=-2.463, P=0.018). Patient satisfaction between two groups was not significantly different 3 months after operation(χ(2)=5.743, P=0.125), while trial group had better satisfaction 6 months after operation[93.1%(27/29) vs. 67.7%(21/31), χ(2)=8.247, P=0.041]. There was no difference in depth of rectocele on defecography between the two groups before operation, while rectocele was significantly improved 6 months after operation [(0.7±0.2) cm vs. (0.9±0.2) cm, t=2.527, P=0.014].

CONCLUSIONPartial STARR combined with Bresler procedure in the treatment of ODS associated with rectocele and IRI has better efficacy than STARR only.

Blood Loss, Surgical ; Constipation ; Defecography ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; surgery ; Intussusception ; surgery ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Rectocele ; surgery ; Rectovaginal Fistula ; Surgical Stapling

OBJECTIVETo explore the efficacy of partial resection of puborectalis combined with mutilation of internal anal sphincter(IAS) in the treatment of puborectalis syndrome with high anal pressure.

METHODSTwenty-five cases of puborectalis syndrome with high anal resting pressure in the preoperative examination received the operation of partial resection of puborectalis combined with mutilation of IAS in Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University between January 2013 and May 2015. The position of puborectalis was confirmed by touching with the exposure under the transfixion device, and a transverse incision was made by electrotome between 3 and 5 o'clock direction of puborectalis, then partial puborectalis was lifted by vessel clamp at 5 o'clock direction, and about 0.5 cm of muscular tissue was resected. Between 8 to 10 o'clock direction of anal tube, about 1 cm length of transverse incision was made by electrotome, then partial IAS was lifted by vessel clamp and cut off. Preoperative and postoperative 3-month anorectal manometry and defecography were carried out. Wexner constipation score and Cleveland Clinic incontinence score were implemented before surgery and 3, 6, 12 months after operation. This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry (registration number: ChiCTR-ORB-16007695).

RESULTSOf the 25 cases, 18 were male and 7 were female, the average age was 55 years old and the average course of disease was 9 years. Compared with pre-operation, the postoperative 3-month anal resting pressure and maximal squeeze pressure were significantly decreased [(53.56±9.05) mmHg vs. (92.44±7.06) mmHg, (142.80±20.35) mmHg vs. (210.88±20.56) mmHg, respectively, both P=0.000]; anorectal angulation at resting state and forced defecation state increased significantly [(102.32±4.96)degree vs. (95.88±4.01)degree, (117.88±5.95)degree vs. (89.52±3.25)degree, respectively, both P=0.000]. Wexner constipation score of postoperative 3-month, 6-month, 12-month (8.28±3.91, 7.40±3.64 and 8.04±4.74) was significantly lower than the preoperative score (16.00±3.69, all P<0.05), while the score was not significantly different among 3 time points after operation (P>0.05). Cleveland Clinic incontinence score was 0 at postoperative 6 and 12 months, and revealed 20 cases were effective among all the surgical patients(80%).

CONCLUSIONPartial resection of puborectalis combined with mutilation of internal anal sphincter can effectively reduce anal pressure and improve symptoms of outlet obstruction, which is an effective method in the treatment of puborectalis syndrome with high anal pressure.

Anal Canal ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Constipation ; surgery ; Defecation ; Defecography ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Hypertonia ; surgery ; Pelvic Floor ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Pressure ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the application value of colonic transit test (CTT) combined with anorectal manometry (ARM), barium enema (BE) and defecography (DFG) in accurately evaluating colonic lesions of slow transit constipation complicated with adult megacolon.

METHODSClinical data of 47 above patients admitted between October 2007 and February 2015 in the People's Hospital of Hunan Province were analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were examined with≥2 times of CTT combined with ARM and BE, and 42 cases received additional DFG at the same time, to evaluate colonic lesions before operation. Operative biopsy pathology was used as the standard. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value(PPV) and negative predictive value(NPV) of positioning in the ascending colon and caecum, transverse colon and descending colon were calculated, and the consistency was represented by Kappa test(Kappa value≥0.75 indicates good consistency, meanwhile higher Kappa value indicates better consistency). The Heikkinen score was used to evaluate defecation function at postoperative 6 months.

RESULTSThe age of 47 patients was from 18 to 56 years old. Compared with intraoperative findings and biopsy pathology, the diagnostic coincidence rate was 89.4% by CTT combined with BE and DFG positioning, which suggested pathology-changed colonic segment locating in the ascending colon and cecum (n=12), transverse colon (n=26) and descending colon (n=9), while intraoperative findings and biopsy pathology suggested pathology-changed colonic segment locating in the ascending colon and cecum (n=11), transverse colon (n=23) and descending colon (n=13). The sensitivity was 88.3%, specificity 93.5%, PPV 92.1%, NPV 94.9% and Kappa value was 0.827(P<0.001). Procedures performed included segmental colectomy (n=8), subtotal colectomy (n=29), total colectomy (n=10). There was no serious complication during and after operation. Defecatory function was excellent in 24 cases (60.0%), good in 10 (25.0%), and moderate in 6 (15.0%) evaluated by Heikkinen score at postoperative 6 months. A total of 40 patients were followed up from 1 to 7 years (median 3 years) and there was no long-term diarrhea and recurrence of constipation or giant colon after operation.

CONCLUSIONPreoperative detection of CTT combined with ARM, BE and DFG in patients with slow transit constipation complicated with adult megacolon can make a more precise assessment of the extent of colonic lesions in advance, which has a good clinical predictive value.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Barium Enema ; Cecum ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Colectomy ; methods ; Colon ; pathology ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Constipation ; complications ; diagnosis ; pathology ; surgery ; Defecography ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Transit ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Manometry ; Megacolon ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Middle Aged ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Preoperative Period ; Prognosis ; Recovery of Function ; physiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of modified stapled transanal rectal resection (STARR) combined with perioperative pelvic floor biofeedback therapy (POPFBFT) in treating obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS).

METHODSThirty female ODS patients underwent modified STARR (resection and suture was performed in rectocele with one staple) combined with POPFBFT in Department of Colorectal and Anal Surgery, The First Hospital of Jilin university from October 2013 to March 2015. Before the modified STARR, patients received a course of POPFBFT (20 min/time, 2 times/d, 10 times as a course), and another 2 courses were carried out in clinic after discharge. Efficacy evaluation included general conditions of patients, morbidity of postoperative complication, overall subjective satisfaction (excellent: without any symptoms; good: 1 to 2 times of laxatives per month and without the need of any other auxiliary defecation; fairly good: more than 3 times of laxatives per month ; poor: with no improvement; excellent, good, fairly good are defined as effective), Longo ODS score (range 0 to 40 points, the higher the score, the more severe the symptoms), gastrointestinal quality of life index(GIQLI)(range 0 to 144 points, the lower the score, the more severe the symptoms), anorectal manometry and defecography examination. The follow-up lasted 12 months after operation (ended at April 2016).

RESULTSAverage age of 30 patients was 57(46 to 72) years and Longo ODS score of every patient was ≥9 before operation. The modified STARR was completed successfully in all the 30 patients with average operation time of 25 (18 to 34) min and average hospital stay of 6(4 to 9) d. Postoperative complications included pain(20%, 6/30), urinary retention (16.7%, 5/30), anorectal heaviness (6.7%, 2/30), and fecal urgency(26.7%, 8/30). Anaorectal heaviness and fecal urgency disappeared within 3 months. No severe complications, such as postoperative bleeding, infection, rectovaginal fistula, anastomotic dehiscence and anal incontinence were observed. The effective rate of overall subjective satisfaction was 93.3%(28/30) during the follow-up of 12 months. There was no significant difference in Longo ODS score between pre- POPFBFT and pre-operation (pre- POPFBFT: 32.95±3.22, pre-operation: 32.85±3.62, t=1.472, P=0.163). Compared with pre-POPFBFT, Longo ODS score at 1 week after operation decreased (t=4.306, P=0.000), moreover, score at 1 month after operation was lower than that at 1 week (13.05±7.49 vs. 15.00±7.17, t=7.322, P=0.000), while no significant differences were found among 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation (F=2.111, P=0.107). Likewise, there was no significant difference in GIQLI score between pre-POPFBFT and pre-operation (pre-POPFBFT: 79.39±17.14, pre-operation: 76.65±17.56, t=1.735, P=0.096). Compared with the pre-POPFBFT, GIQLI score at 1 week after operation increased (t=4.714, P=0.000), moreover, GIQLI score at 1 month after operation was higher than that at 1 week (102.26±19.24 vs 91.31±21.35, t=5.628, P=0.000), while no significant differences were found among 1, 3, 6, 12 months after operation(F=1.211, P=0.313). In comparison with pre- POPFBFT, parameters of defecography examination at 12 months after operation showed obvious improvement: the rectocele decreased from (34.1±0.4) mm to (3.1±0.3) mm (t=6.847, P=0.000), anorectal angle during defecation increased from (123.8±6.7)degree to (134.7±8.5)degree, enlargement of anorectal angle during defecation increased from (29.1±3.5)degree to (37.1±5.3)degree, while no significant differences in descend of perineum, anorectal angles at rest as well as parameters of anorectal manometry were found (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONModified STARR combined with POPFBFT is safe and effective for ODS patients.

Aged ; Anal Canal ; surgery ; Biofeedback, Psychology ; physiology ; Constipation ; rehabilitation ; surgery ; Defecation ; Defecography ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures ; methods ; rehabilitation ; Female ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Middle Aged ; Operative Time ; Pain, Postoperative ; etiology ; Pelvic Floor ; physiology ; Postoperative Complications ; Quality of Life ; Rectocele ; Surgical Stapling ; Suture Techniques ; Treatment Outcome ; Urinary Retention ; etiology