PURPOSE The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical significance of perineal descent (PD) in pelvic outlet obstruction patients diagnosed by using defecography. METHODS One hundred thirty-six patients with pelvic outlet obstruction (POO; median age 49 years) had more than one biofeedback session after defecography. Demographic finding, clinical bowel symptoms and anorectal physiologica...

The evaluation of the chronically constipated patient is multifaceted and challenging. Many clinicians define constipation according to the latest Rome III diagnostic criteria for functional gastrointestinal disorders. Female sex, older age, low fiber diet, a sedentary life style, malnutrition, polypharmacy, and a lower socioeconomic status have all been identified as risk factors for functiona...

PURPOSE Defecography is known to be a sensitive and specific measurement of pelvic floor dyssynergia (PFD). However, its standardized parameter for diagnostic analysis is still incomplete. We attempted to determine which defecographic findings are most significant for PFD, and how closely they match other physiologic tests and clinical symptoms of functional pelvic outlet obstruction. METHODS...

PURPOSE A careful preoperative selection of patients was performed in order to identify those eligible for stapled transanal rectal resection to correct obstructed defecation syndrome. The aim was to assess the consequences of surgery on anorectal function and patient outcomes. METHODS From January 2004 to June 2007, 33 female patients (median age, 56.3 years; range, 27-77 years) eligible for...

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE Defecography has been recognized as a valuable method for evaluating patients with evacuation disorders. It consists of the use of static radiography and fluoroscopy to record different situations within anorectal dynamics. Conventionally, rectal parameters are measured using radiograms. It is rare for fluoroscopy alone to be used. Computer software has been developed with...

Forty seven healthy young volunteers underwent defecographic examination to determine the range of normal findings. Normality was shown to encompass radiological features often considered pathological. These features included broad ranges of anorectal angle and pelvic floor descent which overlap with reported pathological states. Furthermore, the formation of rectocoeles during defecation was a...