Videodefecography Synchronized with Anorectal Manometry

Abstract

Recently, defecography has become an important tool in the diagnosis of fecal incontinence and constipation due to anorectal dysfunction. We have developed a new method to investigate the defecatory mechanism. We sought to examine anorectal dysfunction by combining manometry and defecography. Our technique involves the radiological visualization of the rectum during rest, pressurization and evacuation to defecate a semisolid radiopaque medium, and simultaneous recording of intra-rectal pressure and anal canal pressure. We have used this technique to investigate difficulty for defecation in patients, after low anterior resection and after pouch-anal anastomosis. This technique may help us obtain more information about what happens during defecation.