[Functional proctology at the University of Pécs]

Functional proctological investigations have been introduced at Pécs University of Sciences 15 years ago. The Pelvic Floor Multidisciplinary Team has been re-launched after many years of pause in 2010. Experience of the team in the treatment of faecal incontinence and obstructed defecation syndrome is discussed.

In the past 3 years 9 patients underwent sphincter reconstruction for faecal incontinence. The Pelvic Floor Team in the past 1.5 year consulted 31 patients with constipation, who were considered by the referee for surgical intervention. Following investigations 10 patients underwent surgery, the rest of them were treated conservatively. Seven patients underwent perineal reconstruction with mesh, three patients had ventral rectopexy with additional levatoro-pexy.

78% of patients operated on for faecal incontinence reported full continence, 88% improvement. We invented a new symptom score with a maximum of 20 points to evaluate results of treatment of patients with Obstructed Defecation Syndrome. Patients who underwent perineal repair were interviewed pre and postoperatively. They scored 14 ± 2.83 and 5.4 ± 4.62 points, respectively (p = 0.0075).

Functional proctological patients require a specialist approach from history taking through investigation to treatment. Majority of patients benefit from conservative treatment. Adequate patient selection is essential for successful surgical treatment. Symptom scores applied pre and postoperatively facilitate proper patient selection for various surgical methods.