Anal sphincter function in rectal intussusception and high and low "take-off" external rectal prolapse-A prospective observational study.

Aim: Rectal intussusception (RI) and external rectal prolapse (ERP) are associated with anal sphincter dysfunction. The aim of this study was to examine sphincter function with anal acoustic reflectometry (AAR) in RI and two distinct phenotypes of ERP termed high and low "take-off".

Methods: A prospective study of patients with RI and ERP attending a tertiary pelvic floor unit.

Current and future perspectives on the utility of provocative tests of anal sphincter function: A state-of-the-art summary.

Background: The maintenance of fecal continence depends upon coordinated interactions between the pelvic floor, anorectum, and anal sphincter complex orchestrated by central and peripheral neural activities. The current techniques to objectively measure anorectal function rely on fixed diameter catheters placed inside the anal canal with a rectal balloon to obtain measurements of anal resting and squeeze function, and rectal compliance. Until recently it had not been possible to measure the distensibility of the anal canal, or in other words its ability to resist opening against an increasing pressure, which has been proposed as the main determinant of a biological sphincter's function.