Relationship between anorectal pressure and pelvic floor muscle tension in patients with pelvic floor organ prolapse accompanied by outlet obstruction

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the value of anorectal manometry, combined with measuring pelvic floor muscle tension, to assess the anorectal dynamics of patients with pelvic floor organ prolapse accompanied by outlet obstruction. Methods: 30 patients with pelvic floor organ prolapse and 30 healthy volunteers were included in the observation group. The relationships between anorectal pressure and pelvic floor muscle tension, the patients' subjective and objective symptoms, and posterior vaginal wall prolapse were analyzed in both groups. Results: No significant difference was observed in the anorectal pressure between the observation group during straining to defecate and the control group (p = 0.098). Statistically significant differences were found in the initial rectal sensory volume, the maximum tolerated volume, and the initial desire to defecate sensory volume between the two groups (p = 0.020, 0.001 and 0.035, respectively). A decrease in pelvic floor muscle tension was measured in the observation group (p = 0.037). Compared with the control group, the observation group exhibited decreased internal and external anal sphincter resting pressures, elevated rectal perception threshold, and reduced pelvic floor muscle tone. Conclusions: Anorectal manometry, combined with measuring pelvic floor muscle tension, can provide important references for diagnosing and assessing pelvic floor organ prolapse accompanied by outlet obstruction. © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel.