We hypothesize that defecatory disorders can be described in mechanical terms which would allow a mechanistic description of disorders which would in turn allow better directed biofeedback mechanisms to treat disorders of defecation.
Disorders of defecation are very common and the process of defecation remains poorly described. This results in a limited approach to treatment of patients, with limited success. This study will simultaneously measure multiple components of the process of defecation - the abdominal wall and perineal muscle activity, the pressure within the rectum and in the anal canal and the change in shape of the anorectal region of the colon, in order to develop a biomechanical model which can describe the normal and abnormal defecatory process. It is anticipated that, by understanding the process in these terms will allow a new approach to categorizing and describing defecation problems which in turn will lead to more specific approaches of treatment which will be tailored to individual patients. These parameters will compared in volunteers with no defecatory disorders and patients with defecatory disorders who are being referred for defecography as part of their clinical evaluation.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
17
insertion of catheter to record pressure. Insertion of barium to outline rectum and fluoroscopy to define change in rectal contour and expulsion of barium during the study.
Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, Pennsylvania, United States
change in shape of anorectum during changes in intraabdominal pressure and defecation
measure change in dimension over time
Time frame: start of anorectal manometry procedure until procedure end
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