Rectocele influences results of anal physiological examinations? [A presença de retocele interfere nos resultados de exames de fisiologia anal?]

Abstract

Introduction: Rectocele is a common cause of constipation for obstructed defecation. It often is related with other causes of outlet obstruction and the examinations of anal physiology tests are important for necessary diagnosis of the constipation cause. Objective: To observe the influence of rectocele in the anal physiology tests and the necessity of its accomplishment to the diagnosis of rectocele. Methods: In this study, 40 patients with diagnosis of outlet obstruction had been analyzed. All the patients had been submitted to manometry, rectal sensitivity, electromyography, pudendal nerve latency and proctography and they had been separated in 2 groups: carriers and non-carriers of rectocele. 18 patients with rectocele had been found and the diagnosis often associated was anismus. In relation to the examination there was significant difference only in the proctography in the rectal angle, demonstrating that the presence of rectocele did not intervene with the results of the examination of anal physiology when compared with the other constipated, but it was associated with other causes of constipation such as anismus that needs another type of treatment. Conclusion: Rectocele did not intervene with the values of the examination of anal physiology, but it was associated with other diagnosis, therefore it is important the accomplishment of the examination.