Anterior intussusception descent during defecation is correlated with the severity of fecal incontinence in patients with rectoanal intussusception

Rectoanal intussusception is very common in patients with fecal incontinence

Objectives: Fecal incontinence (FI) is a multifactorial disorder, the etiology of which is not fully understood. Recent data have shown the significance of rectoanal intussusception (RAI) in the evaluation of FI. The present study aimed to determine the incidence of RAI in patients with FI. Methods: Between June 2010 and February 2016, 74 patients, who were evaluated using evacuation proctography, anorectal manometry, ultrasound, and incontinence scores, were included in this study. RAI was diagnosed when the apex of the rectal intussusception (RI) impinged on the internal anal orifice or was intra-anal, based on the images taken during maximal straining defecation at evacuation proctography. The characteristics of RAI patients were further analyzed. Results: There were 59 women (80%) and 15 men, with a median age of 74 (52-93) years. Sixty patients (81%) had RI, and 56 (76%) showed RAI. The incidence of RAI among the 32 patients with FI alone and the 42 patients with FI and symptoms of obstructed defecation (OD) was 72% (23/32) and 79% (33/42), respectively. The incidence of RAI was not significantly different between the patients with normal manometry (maximum resting pressure [MRP] ≥55 cmH₂O and maximum squeeze pressure [MSP] ≥150 cmH₂O, n=26) and those with subnormal manometry (MRP <55 cmH₂O and/or MSP <150 cmH₂O, n=48). Conclusion: RAI is common in patients with FI. Evacuation proctography should be taken into account as a part of the regular study of FI patients.

Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy in patients with fecal incontinence associated with rectoanal intussusception: prospective evaluation of clinical, physiological and morphological changes

BACKGROUND

Physiological changes after laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) in patients with rectoanal intussusception (RAI) remain unclear. This study was undertaken to evaluate physiological and morphological changes after LVR for RAI, and to study clinical outcomes following LVR with special reference to fecal incontinence (FI).

METHODS

The study was conducted on patients who had LVR for RAI between February 2012 and December 2016 at our institution Patients with RAI and FI were included in the study. Patients with RAI and obstructed defecation and those with RAI and neurologic FI were not included. The patients had anorectal manometry preoperatively, and 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. Defecography was performed before and 6 months after the procedure. FI was evaluated using the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI).

RESULTS

There were 34 patients (median age 77 years (range 60-93) years). Thirty-two patients (94%) were female and the median number of vaginal deliveries was 2 (range 0-5). Neither maximum resting pressure nor maximum squeeze pressure increased postoperatively. There was an overall increase in both defecatory desire volume (median preoperative 75 ml vs. 90 ml at 12 months; p = 0.002) and maximum tolerated volume (median preoperative 145 ml vs.175 ml at 12 months; p = 0.002). Postoperatively, RAI was eliminated in all patients but one, although 13 had residual rectorectal intussusception found at defecography. There was an overall reduction in both rectocele size (median preop 29 mm vs. postop 10 mm; p = 0.008) and pelvic floor descent (median preop 26 mm vs. postop 20 mm; p = 0.005). Twelve months after surgery, a reduction of at least 50% was observed in the FISI score for 31 incontinent patients (91%).

CONCLUSIONS

LVR for RAI produced adequate improvement of FI, and successful anatomical correction of RAI was confirmed by postoperative proctography. Postoperative increase in the rectal volume may have a positive effect on continence.

Proctographic findings and symptoms in patients with anterior rectoanal intussusception

OBJECTIVES

Rectoanal intussusception (RAI) is a common finding on defecography in patients with defecation disorders. This study aimed to compare the proctographic findings and symptoms between patients with anterior RAI and those with circular RAI.

METHODS

We included 208 patients who were diagnosed as having RAI on defecography. Anorectal function was evaluated using Constipation Scoring System (CSS) and Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI).

RESULTS

Twenty-four patients had anterior RAI and 184 had circular RAI. While the anterior intussusception descent or pelvic floor descent was significantly smaller in patients with anterior RAI than those with circular RAI [14.3 vs. 18.5 mm, p=0.004; 12.4 vs. 21.6 mm, p=0.005], there were no significant differences in incidences of obstructed defecation (OD) and fecal incontinence (FI) between the groups. Sixteen patients with anterior RAI and 137 patients with circular RAI had OD. There was no significant difference in the CSS scores between the groups. Twelve patients with anterior RAI and 108 patients with circular RAI had FI. No significant difference in the FISI scores between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Approximately one tenth of the whole RAI was anterior in location, and symptoms in patients with anterior RAI were similar to those with circular RAI.