Anal canal to pubis angle: a novel clinical ultrasound technique for the assessment of the anorectal region

Introduction and hypothesis Posterior compartment prolapse is associated with severe morbidity including faecal incontinence and defaecation dysfunction. The aim of this study was to develop and validate a novel ultrasound marker (anal canal to pubis angle) for the assessment of the anal axis in the context of posterior compartment prolapse in women and in controls (healthy, nulliparous, non-pregnant volunteers). Methods Anal canal to pubis (AC/Pubis) angle is measured with 2D transperineal ultrasound in precisely the midsagittal plane. The image was inverted and zoomed out and the angle opened to 107° (maximum). The image includes the pubis, urethra and anal canal. The angle measurement starts from the anal canal, pivots on the anorectal junction and ends at the shadow of the pubis. Inter- and intra-observer agreement in AC/Pubis angle measurement was assessed and the angles measured in the two groups compared. Results Forty women with posterior prolapse and 17 controls were included. Close agreement was observed in inter- and intra-observer AC/Pubis angle measurements assessed with Bland-Altman analysis. AC/Pubis angle is significantly wider in prolapse patients compared to controls (t-test, p < 0.001), with mean AC/Pubis angle in prolapse patients 122.9° (SD 15.6°) and controls 98.2° (SD 15.9°). Conclusion The AC/Pubis angle is a novel validated 2D ultrasound technique for the assessment of the anorectal axis that potentially can be performed using equipment that is widely available in routine clinical practice. The AC/Pubis angle is significantly wider in prolapse patients compared to controls.

Modified Lefort partial colpocleisis

Introduction and hypothesis We present a surgical video that describes the technical considerations for performing a modified LeFort partial colpocleisis. Methods Hydro-dissection with diluted pituitrin was performed before the creation of anterior and posterior mid-line incisions through which lateral flaps were created bilaterally to expose the bladder and rectum fascia. Several purse-string sutures were placed to push the bladder and rectum back to their normal positions and reinforce the fascia under the vaginal wall. After removing the excess part of the vaginal wall, the lateral margins were re-approximated to create lateral channels that were wide enough to fit one finger. Perineoplasty was then performed to reduce the length of the genital hiatus. Results The procedure was performed in a 76-year-old woman with stage III vaginal vault prolapse (POP-Q C + 2), stage IV anterior prolapse (POP-Q Ba+5), stage II posterior prolapse (POP-Q Bp-1), and mild occult stress urinary incontinence. The patient recovered well postoperatively, without recurrent prolapse and/or stress incontinence during 6 months of follow-up. Conclusions Our modified technique used traditional suture methods to strengthen the bladder and rectum fascia, keeping most of the vaginal wall to create a solid longitudinal septum in the center of the vagina that supported the vaginal vault.