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Related Experiment Videos

Megarectum.

A Verduron1, G Devroede, M Bouchoucha

  • 1Départements de chirurgie, Faculté de médecine, Université de Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada.

Digestive Diseases and Sciences
|September 1, 1988
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

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Megarectum, a condition of rectal over-distension, is linked to chronic constipation and fecal incontinence. This study reveals decreased rectal elasticity and abnormal reflexes in megarectum patients, suggesting outlet obstruction as a cause.

Area of Science:

  • Gastroenterology
  • Colorectal Surgery
  • Physiology

Background:

  • Barium enema is unreliable for evaluating rectal function in constipation.
  • Rectometrographic studies are crucial for diagnosing conditions like megarectum.
  • Chronic idiopathic constipation can stem from various underlying mechanisms.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize clinical and functional data in patients with chronic idiopathic constipation and diagnosed megarectum.
  • To investigate the role of rectal elasticity and anorectal function in megarectum.
  • To differentiate between congenital and late-onset megarectum.

Main Methods:

  • Rectal elasticity studies were performed on 355 patients.
  • 35 patients diagnosed with megarectum underwent further evaluation.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Evaluations included stool frequency, colonic transit time, rectal elasticity, and anorectal manometry.
  • 11 healthy controls were included for comparison.

    • Main Results:

    • Patients with megarectum showed decreased rectal wall elasticity compared to controls.
    • Congenital megarectum cases (7 patients) presented with severe fecal incontinence.
    • Late-onset megarectum (28 patients) showed a female predominance and rectosigmoid stagnation.
    • Rectal pressure abnormalities suggested a motor, not sensory, deficit.
    • The rectoanal inhibitory reflex was diminished, mimicking Hirschsprung's disease findings.

    Conclusions:

    • Megarectum is characterized by reduced rectal elasticity and abnormal rectoanal inhibitory reflexes.
    • These findings suggest outlet obstruction as a primary mechanism in some constipation cases.
    • Rectometrographic assessment is vital for understanding megarectum pathophysiology.