Constipation and incontinence: significance of colonic transit time, anorectal manometry and defecography

Constipation and fecal incontinence are frequent motives of gastroenterological consultation. An etiological diagnosis can often be suspected from the history and can be confirmed by functional testing. We here report our experience with the measurement of colonic transit time (TTC), anorectal manom...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inSchweizerische medizinische Wochenschrift Vol. 121; no. 5; p. 150
Main Authors Dederding, J P, Fouillet, P, Berclaz, R, Miazza, B, Cunningham, M, Mirescu, D, de Peyer, R, Loizeau, E
Format Journal Article
LanguageFrench
Published Switzerland 02.02.1991
Subjects
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Anal Canal - physiopathology
Constipation - diagnosis
Constipation - physiopathology
Defecation - physiology
Fecal Incontinence - diagnosis
Fecal Incontinence - physiopathology
Female
Gastrointestinal Transit - physiology
Humans
Male
Manometry
Middle Aged
Rectum - physiopathology
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Summary:Constipation and fecal incontinence are frequent motives of gastroenterological consultation. An etiological diagnosis can often be suspected from the history and can be confirmed by functional testing. We here report our experience with the measurement of colonic transit time (TTC), anorectal manometry (MAR) and defecography (D). Whilst TTC was unhelpful, MAR revealed abdomino-pelvic asynchrony (anismus) in 60 constipated patients and 7 (47%) of 15 incontinent patients. Perineal descent was suspected in 25 constipated patients and confirmed by defecography, which also revealed associated static pelvic disorders. Our experience confirms the role of functional exploration in the investigation of constipation and fecal incontinence and permits a more precise therapeutic approach.
ISSN:0036-7672