THE IMPACT OF ANISMUS ON THE CLINICAL OUTCOME OF RECTOCELE REPAIR

There are doubts as to whether rectocele repair (RR) is beneficial for patients with concomitant anismus. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effect of anismus on the clinical outcome of RR. I n 71 out of 75 patients who underwent RR evacuation proctography (EP) was performed. Electromyography (EMG) of the pelvic floor and balloon expulsion test (BET) were carried out in 61 and 35 patients respective ly. On EP, measuring the central anorectal angle (CARA) and the poster ior anorectal angle (PARA), signs of anismus were found in 34 and 28 p ercent of the patients respectively. EMG and BET revealed anismus in 3 9 and 71 percent of the patients respectively. These results showed po or agreement. RR was successful in 53 (71%) out of 75 patients (follow up 14-74 months). No differences were found in clinical outcome in pa tients with and without signs of anismus. In conclusion, RR is benefic ial for patients with obstructed defecation, and signs of anismus do n ot appear to be a contraindication for RR.