Defecatory dysfunction and fecal incontinence in women with or without posterior vaginal wall prolapse as measured by pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q).

Introduction And Hypothesis: Pelvic Floor Dysfunction is a complex condition that may be asymptomatic or may involve a loto f symptoms. This study evaluates defecatory dysfunction, fecal incontinence, and quality of life in relation to presence of posterior vaginal prolapse.

Methods: 265 patients were divided into two groups according to posterior POP-Q stage: posterior POP-Q stage ≥2 and posterior POP-Q stage <2.

Usefulness of anorectal and endovaginal 3D ultrasound in the evaluation of sphincter and pubovisceral muscle defects using a new scoring system in women with fecal incontinence after vaginal delivery.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate pubovisceral muscle and anal sphincter defects in women with previous vaginal delivery and fecal incontinence and to correlate the findings with the severity of symptoms using the combined anorectal and endovaginal 3D ultrasonography with a new ultrasound scoring system.

Methods: Consecutive female patients with previous vaginal delivery and fecal incontinence symptoms were screened. Fecal incontinence was assessed with the Cleveland Clinic Florida fecal incontinence scale, and the extent of defects was assessed by an ultrasound score based on results of anorectal and endovaginal 3D ultrasound.

Correlation Between Echodefecography and 3-Dimensional Vaginal Ultrasonography in the Detection of Perineal Descent in Women With Constipation Symptoms.

Background: Defecography is an established method of evaluating dynamic anorectal dysfunction, but conventional defecography does not allow for visualization of anatomic structures.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the use of dynamic 3-dimensional endovaginal ultrasonography for evaluating perineal descent in comparison with echodefecography (3-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography) and to study the relationship between perineal descent and symptoms and anatomic/functional abnormalities of the pelvic floor.

Design: This was a prospective study.

Do changes in anal sphincter anatomy correlate with anal function in women with a history of vaginal delivery?

Objectives: To evaluate anal sphincter anatomy using three-dimensional ultrasonography (3-DAUS) in incontinent women with vaginal delivery, correlate anatomical findings with symptoms of fecal incontinence and determine the effect of vaginal delivery on anal canal anatomy and function.

Methods: Female with fecal incontinence and vaginal delivery were assessed with Wexner's score, manometry, and 3DAUS. A control group comprising asymptomatic nulliparous was included.

Use of dynamic 3-dimensional transvaginal and transrectal ultrasonography to assess posterior pelvic floor dysfunction related to obstructed defecation.

Background: New ultrasound techniques may complement current diagnostic tools, and combined techniques may help to overcome the limitations of individual techniques for the diagnosis of anorectal dysfunction. A high degree of agreement has been demonstrated between echodefecography (dynamic 3-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography) and conventional defecography.

Objective: Our aim was to evaluate the ability of a combined approach consisting of dynamic 3-dimensional transvaginal and transrectal ultrasonography by using a 3-dimensional biplane endoprobe to assess posterior pelvic floor dysfunctions related to obstructed defecation syndrome in comparison with echodefecography.

How much of the internal sphincter may be divided during lateral sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure in women? Morphologic and functional evaluation after sphincterotomy.

Background: Sphincterotomy is used to treat chronic anal fissure, but the length of the sphincterotomy is associated with incontinence.

Objective: We used 3-dimensional anal ultrasonography to determine the proportion of the internal anal sphincter that may be divided during lateral internal sphincterotomy in women without predisposing them to a high risk of fecal incontinence.

Design And Setting: This was a prospective, observational cohort study conducted at a tertiary-care hospital.

Anatomic characteristics of anal fistula on three-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography.

Background: Surgery for anal fistula is often associated with continence disorders due to the transection of sphincter muscles. Extensive knowledge of anal canal anatomy and anal fistula can help prevent this outcome.

Objective: This study aimed to correlate the anatomical conformation of the anal canal, the fistula track, and the internal opening according to sex and hemicircumference (anterior vs posterior) by use of 3-dimensional ultrasonography.

The role of 3-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography in the assessment of anterior transsphincteric fistula.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of 3-dimensional anorectal ultrasonography in the choice of surgical technique according to the position of the fistulous tract in patients with anterior transsphincteric anal fistula.

Methods: A total of 33 patients (18 male) with anterior transsphincteric fistulas were evaluated by ultrasonography. The length of the external and internal anal sphincters, the position of the internal opening, the length of the compromised sphincter, and the percentage of sphincter muscle to be transected during surgery were measured, compared between sexes, and used in planning the surgery.

Effect of soluble fiber or fructooligosaccharide supplementation upon trinitrobenzenesulphonic acid induced colitis in rats.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of soluble fiber or fructooligosaccharide (FOS) supplementation upon trinitrobenzene sulphonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats.

Methods: 64 Wistar rats were given water, soluble fiber or FOS intragastrically during 14 days prior to colitis induction with TNBS (n=48) or rectal enema with water (n=16; control group). On the 7th or 14th day following colitis induction the rats were weighed and euthanized in order to determine the colon weight/length ratio and macroscopic and microscopic scores.