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[Anal incontinence: echographic and manometric study]
Study Aim:
The goal of this study was to evaluate the clinical and functional consequences of anal sphincter echographic lesions in patients with fecal incontinence.
Patients And Method:
From January 1997 to April 2001, 100 patients with fecal incontinence (90 women, 10 men) were prospectively explored by transanal ultrasound and vectormanometry. Internal and external sphincter defects, as well as their extension, were analyzed with regard to their clinical and functional expressions (resting and squeeze anal sphincter pressures, anal sphincter asymmetry index).
Results:
Among the 100 patients, 42 had no echographic lesions, 58 had a defect: 26 had an isolated defect (internal sphincter (n = 3), external sphincter (n = 23) and 32 had combined internal and external sphincter defects. Squeeze anal pressures were significantly lower in the group of patients with combined defects, compared to the group with isolated defect or without defect. Anal asymmetry index was higher in the group of patients with combined defects, compared to the other groups. There was a positive correlation between the radial extension of the defect and the importance of clinical complaints.
Conclusion:
Echographic anal sphincter lesions are frequent in fecal incontinence and are clinically and functionally significant.