[Variations in rectal capacity and compliance after abdominal rectopexy]

The aim of this study was to attempt to gain insight in to the pathophysiologic characteristics of rectal prolapse by evaluating rectal compliance in patients with complete or incomplete rectal prolapse, before and after rectopexy. 21 subjects with complete rectal prolapse and 10 subjects with internal procidentia of rectum were treated with one of two abdominal rectopexies, according to Wells or according to a modified Ripstein's technique. For comparison, measurements were also carried out in 17 age and sex control subjects who had no bowel disturbances or anal symptoms. On distension with 40 cm H2O rectal volume amounted to 218 (175-255) ml for controls, 225 (178-256) ml for complete prolapses and 200 (125-225) ml for invaginations. Compliance amounted respectively to 9.5 (5-11,4), 8.5 (5-12,6), 7.5 (4-10,6) ml/cm H2O in the pressure interval 0-10 cm H2O with a decrease in compliance at higher pressure intervals. There was no correlation between rectal volume and compliance and gas or faecal incontinence, evacuation difficulties, feeling of blockade upon defecation and constipation. The effect of rectopexy has been separately evaluated according to the diagnosis. In complete prolapse significant changes of rectal capacity were observed for lower distending pressures (from 10 to 30), but not for higher (40-50). The compliance was significantly different for even lower distending pressures (0-10 cm H2O). In internal rectal procidentia rectopexy did not significantly changed capacity compliance. This work confirms the observations that the rectal compliance in rectal prolapse, complete and incomplete, do not differ from healthy controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)