Rectal sensation, the rectoanal reflex, and faecal incontinence

1988 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 232-233
Author(s):  
Michael Kamm ◽  
E. Hancke

Gut ◽  
1990 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 1056-1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
W M Sun ◽  
N W Read ◽  
P B Miner


2019 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 175628481983607
Author(s):  
Yoav Mazor ◽  
John E. Kellow ◽  
Gillian M. Prott ◽  
Michael P. Jones ◽  
Allison Malcolm

Background: Instrumented anorectal biofeedback (BF) improves symptoms and quality of life in patients with faecal incontinence and defecation disorder-associated chronic constipation. However, demand for BF greatly outweighs availability, so refinement of the BF protocol, in terms of the time and resources required, is of importance. Our aim was to evaluate the outcomes of an abbreviated BF protocol in patients with defecation disorder-associated chronic constipation and/or faecal incontinence compared to standard BF. Methods: Data were collected from consecutive patients ( n = 31; age 54 ± 15; 29 females; 61% functional constipation) undergoing an intentionally abbreviated BF protocol, and compared in a 1:2 ratio with 62 age, gender and functional anorectal disorder-matched control patients undergoing a standard BF. Outcomes included change in symptoms, physiology, patient satisfaction and quality of life. Results: On intention to treat, patients in both protocols showed significant improvement in symptom scores and the magnitude did not differ between groups. Impact on quality of life, satisfaction and control over bowel movements improved in both protocols, but satisfaction improved to a greater extent in the standard BF protocol ( p = 0.009). Physiological parameters were unchanged after BF apart from improvement in rectal sensation in the standard BF group compared to abbreviated BF ( p ⩽ 0.002). Conclusions: Abbreviated anorectal BF offered to patients travelling from far away was not different to a standard BF in providing substantial, at least short term, improvements in symptoms of constipation and faecal incontinence, quality of life and feeling of control over bowel movements. Refinement of the standard BF protocol according to individual patient phenotypes and desired outcomes warrants further study in order to maximize efficacy and improve access for patients.



1987 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 146-148 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Hancke ◽  
M. Schürholz


Gut ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 123-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
E K Yeoh ◽  
A Russo ◽  
R Botten ◽  
R Fraser ◽  
D Roos ◽  
...  

Aim—The incidence of anorectal symptoms after radiotherapy (RTH) for localised pelvic malignant disease is unclear. In addition, the effects of pelvic irradiation on both anorectal motility and sensory function are poorly defined. A prospective study was therefore performed on 35 patients (55–82 years of age) with localised prostatic carcinoma before and four to six weeks after RTH to assess its effects on anorectal function.Methods—Anorectal symptoms were assessed by questionnaire. Anorectal pressures at rest and in response to voluntary squeeze, rectal distension, and increases in intra-abdominal pressure were evaluated with perfused sleeve side hole manometry. Rectal sensation was tested during graded balloon distension. Rectal compliance was calculated by the pressure-volume relation obtained during the testing of rectal sensation. Ultrasound was used to determine anal sphincter structure and integrity.Results—RTH had no effect on anal sphincter morphology. The frequency of defecation increased after RTH (7 (3–21) v 10 (3–56) bowel actions a week; p<0.01). After RTH, 16 patients had faecal urgency and eight faecal incontinence, compared with five and one respectively before RTH (p<0.01 for each). Basal and squeeze sleeve recorded pressures were reduced after RTH (54 (3)v 49 (3) mm Hg (p<0.05) and 111 (8)v 102 (8) mm Hg (p<0.01), before and after RTH respectively; means (SEM)). Rectal compliance was reduced after RTH (1.2 v 1.4 mm Hg/ml, p<0.05). After RTH, threshold volumes for perception of rectal distension were lower in the 16 patients who either experienced faecal urgency for the first time (13 patients) or reported worsening of this symptom (three patients) compared with the remaining patients (34 (4)v 48 (5) ml respectively, p<0.05).Conclusion—Faecal incontinence (23%) is a common problem four to six weeks after RTH for prostatic carcinoma and is associated with minor reductions in anal sphincter pressures. The high prevalence of faecal urgency in patients after RTH may be related to alterations in rectal perception of stool.



Endoscopy ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 36 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
P Akhtar ◽  
M Aslam


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