[Rectocele: a sign of the relaxed pelvic floor syndrome]

Routine physical examination, anorectal dynamics, electromyography of the pelvic floor, defecography and bowel transit were made in 45 patients with rectocele. The results showed that the disorder occurred mainly postpartum and always coexisted with other relaxed pelvic floor disorder. The patients had abnormal descent of pelvic floor, which was positively related to the depth of rectocele. Those with rectocele and spastic pelvic floor syndrome showed less descent of pelvic floor and depth of rectocele compared with those without SPFS. Thess suggest that the relationship between rectocele and descent of the pelvic floor is close. The maximum contraction pressure of the anal canal, the sensitive function, and the contractive function of the rectum were significantly decreased in the patients with rectocele, suggesting neurogenic damage.