Pelvic floor dysfunction

Abstract

Pelvic floor dysfunction is the inability of the pelvic floor to fulfil its supportive role to the pelvic organs and/or its inability to allow these organs to function normally. The dysfunction may be limited to a single organ, but more often involves more than one of the urinary, genital and anorectal organs to some degree. This chapter will only discuss pelvic floor disorders involving the anorectum, leaving aside specific urogenital troubles. Rectal prolapse and solitary rectal ulcer syndrome are discussed in Chap. 38. © 2010 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.