ISSN:
1619-7089
Keywords:
Constipation
;
Evacuation
;
Isotope proctography
;
Anorectal angle
;
Pelvic floor
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Medicine
Notes:
Abstract Patients with long-standing constipation were examined by radioisotope proctography. A radiolabelled synthetic potato mash was inserted intrarectally and the dynamic changes during simulated defaecation recorded using a gamma-camera. Computer images from the stored data illustrate changes in the anorectal angle and pelvic floor. The median (and 95% confidence intervals) of the anorectal angles were: at rest 105° (101°, 116°), on voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor by ‘squeezing’ 91° (81°, 98°), on straining 120° (107°, 137°) and during evacuation 126° (116°, 153°). The pelvic floor movements were: pelvic floor ascent on voluntary contraction 28 mm (9, 34 mm), pelvic floor descent on straining −8 mm (−14, −4 mm) and descent during evacuation −27 mm (−34, −11 mm). Useful additions to previous methods are measurement of the completeness of rectal evacuation 58% (42, 77%), the defaecation time 64 s (50, 138 s) and the defaecation rate 0.9%/s (0.4, 1.4%/s).
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00177370
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