The aim of the present study is to show novel techniques to evaluate the ODS using dynamic three-dimensional endorectal ultrasound and comparing the results with defecography. Twenty-five adult women were included and distributed in two groups. Group I: Fifteen normal women, mean age 52,4 years old (range 23-76) submitted to full proctologic exam and dynamic 3D anorectal ultrasonography to establish the normal patterns of the rectum and anal canal. Group II: Ten female patients complaining of obstructed defecation, mean age 47,8 years old (33 a 65). The main symptoms were incomplete evacuation, disquezia and vaginal or perineal digitation. They were submitted to full proctologic evaluation, followed by defecography and lastly echodefecography by two examiners without knowing the defecography results. The dynamic echodefecography was performed using B-K Medical® equipment, 360º endoprobe, type 2050, with automatic scan during 50 seconds. The mean angle size formed by the PR at rest position (group I) was 87,13º (range 78,9 - 90,8°) (± 1,01) and 99,22º (range 84,9 - 114,5°) (± 1,84) during evacuatory effort.. It was observed that the angle size increased in all normal women, demonstrating PR relaxation during the evacuatory effort. Concerning to anorectocele evaluation, the posterior vagina wall was kept at horizontal position during the evacuatory effort, except in patients with anorectocele. All patients from group II had anorectocele ( grade I = 1, grade II = 5, grade III = 4) demonstrated at clinical and defecography evaluation. All cases were also confirmed by echodefecography. Based on such results, it was established the reference parameters to classify anorectocele according to echodefecography. (grade I - distance of the vaginal wall positions until 5,0mm, grade II from 6,0 to 12,0mm, grade III above 12,0mm). Defecography identified anismus in one patient with anorectocele grade II and in another with grade III and both were confirmed at echodefecography by decreasing the PR angle when compared the resting with straining positions. Defecography showed also four cases of rectal intussusceptions while echodefecography confirmed such findings and identified two other cases. In conclusion, echodefecography can be used as an alternative method to assess patients with ODS because it identifies and quantifies all the anorectal dysfunctions associated with the obstructed defecation, with the advantage to evaluate also the continence disturbances, identifying sphincter injuries. It's minimally invasive, well tolerated, low cost, no radiation exposure and demonstrates precisely all the anatomic structures involved with defecation.
Obstructed Defecation; Defecography; Ultrasonography; Rectum; Anus; Rectocele; Rectal Intussusception
