Frequency of anal incontinence and results of pelvic viscerography in 291 women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of anal incontinence in a population of 291 women with pelvic organ prolapse and evaluate the results of pelvic viscerogram in this situation.

Materials And Methods: Each patient answered a standardized questionnaire on medical, obstetric and surgical past histories and answers were logged in a database. The viscerograms were performed by a single specialized radiologist.

Results: All patients but one were parous. The prevalence of anal incontinence was 26.1%. Stress urinary incontinence and urge urinary incontinence were significantly associated with anal incontinence. No obstetric or surgical risk factor for anal incontinence was demonstrated. Viscerography demonstrated rectoceles (n=86, 29.1%), enteroceles (n=77, 26.5%), cystoceles (n=174, 59.8%), and intra-anal rectal prolapse (n=106, 36.4%). A significant association was found between intra-anal rectal prolapse and anal incontinence.

Conclusion: Anal incontinence is frequent in patients with pelvic organ prolapse, even more so in the presence of urinary incontinence, and should be investigated by pelvic viscerography. Pelvic floor dysfunction is frequently associated with enteroceles, rectoceles and rectal prolapse. Pelvic viscerograms should be systematically performed in the diagnostic work-up in patients with pelvic organ prolapse when surgical treatment is considered.