A prospective comparison between clinical outcome and open-configuration magnetic resonance defecography findings before and after surgery for symptomatic rectocele

Functional Constipation and Obstructed Defecation

Constipation encompasses symptoms of decreased colonic motility or difficulty with the defecation process. As a broad definition, this can be inclusive of functional constipation (FC) or colonic inertia, obstructed defecation (OD), and irritable bowel syndrome-constipation type (IBS-CS). After excluding IBS-C, FC and OD diagnosis and management require a multidisciplinary approach often involving nutritionists, pelvic floor therapists, urogynecologists, and colon and rectal surgeons. Differentiating the presence or absence of each can direct therapy and prognosticate chances for improvement in this often complex combination of disorders.

Expert consensus document: Advances in the evaluation of anorectal function

Faecal incontinence and evacuation disorders are common, impair quality of life and incur substantial economic costs worldwide. As symptoms alone are poor predictors of underlying pathophysiology and aetiology, diagnostic tests of anorectal function could facilitate patient management in those cases that are refractory to conservative therapies. In the past decade, several major technological advances have improved our understanding of anorectal structure, coordination and sensorimotor function. This Consensus Statement provides the reader with an appraisal of the current indications, study performance characteristics, clinical utility, strengths and limitations of the most widely available tests of anorectal structure (ultrasonography and MRI) and function (anorectal manometry, neurophysiological investigations, rectal distension techniques and tests of evacuation, including defecography). Additionally, this article provides our consensus on the clinical relevance of these tests.

Can we correlate pelvic floor dysfunction severity on MR defecography with patient-reported symptom severity?

MR defecography (MRD) is an alternative to conventional defecography (CD) which allows for dynamic visualisation of the pelvic floor. The aim of this study was to assess whether MRI features indicative of pelvic floor dysfunction correlated with patient-reported symptom severity. MR proctograms were matched to a prospectively-maintained functional database. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using pre-treatment questionnaire responses to the Birmingham Bowel, Bladder and Urinary Symptom Questionnaire (BBUSQ), Wexner Incontinence Score (WIS), and modified Obstructed Defecation Symptom (ODS) Score. 302 MRI proctograms were performed between January 2012 and April 2015. 170 patients were included. Patients with a rectocele > 2 cm (p = 0.003; OR 5.756) or MRD features suggestive of puborectalis syndrome (p = 0.025; OR 8.602) were more likely to report a higher ODS score on multivariate analysis. Lack of rectal evacuation was negatively associated with an abnormal WIS (p = 0.007; OR 0.228). Age > 50 (p = 0.027, OR 2.204) and a history of pelvic floor surgery (p = 0.042, OR 0.359) were correlated with an abnormal BBUSQ incontinence score. Lack of rectal evacuation (p = 0.027, OR 3.602) was associated with an abnormal BBUSQ constipation score. Age > 50 (p = 0.07, OR 0.156) and the presence of rectoanal intussusception (p = 0.010, OR 0.138) were associated with an abnormal BBUSQ evacuation score. Whilst MRD is a useful tool in aiding multidisciplinary decision making, overall, it is poorly correlated with patient-reported symptom severity, and treatment decisions should not rest solely on results.

Symptomatic rectocele: what are the indications for repair?

BACKGROUND

The surgical indications for symptomatic rectocele are undefined, and surgery has high recurrence rates. We implemented magnetic resonance imaging defecography (MRID) to determine if utilizing strict inclusion criteria for rectocele repair improves outcomes.

METHODS

Patients with obstructive defecation syndrome (ODS) who underwent dynamic MRID were evaluated. Indications for surgical repair were defecation requiring manual assistance and the following MRID results: anterior defect >2 cm, incomplete evacuation, and the absence of perineal descent. Primary outcomes were the change in quality of life (QOL) scores and recurrence.

RESULTS

From 2006 to 2013, 143 patients who presented with ODS underwent MRID. Seventeen patients met the criteria for repair. Recurrence was low (5.8%) with a median follow-up of 23 months, QOL scores improved from 57.3 to 76.5 (P = .041).

CONCLUSIONS

A minority of patients (12%) with ODS met the above criteria for rectocele repair. Patients who underwent repair had a significant improvement in QOL and low recurrence rate.

Rectocele and intussusception: is there any coherence in symptoms or additional pelvic floor disorders?

BACKGROUND

Patients with a rectocele often suffer from such symptoms as obstructed defaecation, urine or stool incontinence and pain. The aim of this study was to assess other concomitant pelvic floor disorders and their influence on pelvic function.

METHODS

Included in the study were 37 female patients with a significant rectocele and defaecation disorder. Medical history and symptoms were analysed in terms of validated functional scores. All patients underwent open magnetic resonance defaecography (MRD) in a sitting position. Imaging was analysed for the presence and size of the rectocele, intussusception and other pelvic floor disorders.

RESULTS

Patients with a higher body mass index tended to have a larger rectocele, whereas age and vaginal birth did not correlate with the size of the rectocele. In 67.5% of the patients with a previously diagnosed rectocele, an intussusception was diagnosed on MRD. This group suffered from significantly worse urine incontinence (p=0.023) and from accessory enteroceles 64%, compared with 17% (p=0.013) for those with a simple rectocele. Patients with higher grade intussusception suffered more frequently from incontinence than from constipation.

CONCLUSION

Patients with a symptomatic rectocele frequently have other pelvic floor disorders that significantly influence the pattern of symptoms. Knowledge of all the afflictions is essential for determining the optimal treatment for each individual patient.

Clinical and morphologic correlation after stapled transanal rectal resection for obstructed defecation syndrome

PURPOSE

The clinical and morphologic outcome of patients with obstructed defecation syndrome after stapled transanal rectal resection was prospectively evaluated.

METHODS

Twenty-four consecutive patients (22 women; median age, 61 (range, 36-74) years) who suffered from obstructed defecation syndrome and with rectal redundancy on magnetic resonance defecography were enrolled in the study. Constipation was assessed by using the Cleveland Constipation Score. Morphologic changes were determined by using closed-configuration magnetic resonance defecography before and after stapled transanal rectal resection.

RESULTS

After a median follow-up of 18 (range, 6-36) months, Cleveland Constipation Score significantly decreased from 11 (range, 1-23) preoperatively to 5 (range, 1-15) postoperatively (P = 0.02). In 15 of 20 patients, preexisting intussusception was no longer visible in the magnetic resonance defecography. Anterior rectoceles were significantly reduced in depth, from 30 mm to 23 mm (P = 0.01), whereas the number of detectable rectoceles did not significantly change. Complications occurred in 6 of the 24 patients; however, only two were severe (1 bleeding and 1 persisting pain requiring reintervention).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical improvement of obstructed defecation syndrome after stapled transanal rectal resection correlates well with morphologic correction of the rectal redundancy, whereas correction of intussusception seems to be of particular importance in patients with obstructed defecation syndrome.

Dynamic magnetic resonance imaging: reliability of anatomical landmarks and reference lines used to assess pelvic organ prolapse

The aim of this study was to determine the intra- and interobserver reliability of dynamic magnetic resonance (MR) staging in pelvic organ prolapse patients. In 30 patients with pelvic organ prolapse, dynamic MR images were assessed independently by two observers. Various anatomical landmarks to asses pelvic organ prolapse were used in relation to the pubococcygeal line, H-line, and mid-pubic line. Clinical measurement points were assessed in relation to the mid-pubic line. The intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to describe the intra- and interobserver reliability. Overall, the intra- and interobserver reliability of MR imaging measurements was excellent to good. The pubococcygeal line showed superior reliability (ICC range 0.70-0.99). The reliability of clinical measurement points, however, were only moderate (ICC range 0.20-0.96). The intra- and interobserver reliability of quantitative prolapse staging on dynamic MR imaging were good to excellent. The pubococcygeal line appears the most reliable to use.