[Functional evaluation of the anorectal region]

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Radiology
• Pelvic Floor Disorders
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Defecography is crucial for evaluating anorectal region morphodynamics.
• Understanding structural and dynamic changes is vital for diagnosing pelvic floor dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To differentiate anorectal morphodynamic changes in severe constipation versus idiopathic incontinence using defecography.
• To identify specific defecographic findings associated with each condition.

Main Methods:

• Utilized phase and dynamic defecography for anorectal evaluation.
• Compared findings in constipated and incontinent patients against normal subjects using Student's t-test.

Main Results:

• Constipated patients showed two groups: one with no significant anorectal angle changes, another with reduced angle on straining.
• Incontinent patients exhibited increased anorectal angle distance on squeezing, with associated rectocele and prolapse in both groups.
• Specific findings included narrowed anal canal in constipation and larger anal canal in incontinence.

Conclusions:

• Defecography effectively distinguishes between constipated and incontinent patient groups based on anorectal morphodynamics.
• Identified structural abnormalities like rectocele and prolapse are common in both severe constipation and idiopathic incontinence.