RECTAL COMPLIANCE DETERMINED BY RECTAL ENDOSONOGRAPHY - A NEW APPLICATION OF ENDOSONOGRAPHY

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to develop a method for determinati on of rectal compliance that allows direct measurement of correspondin g changes in the rectal cross-sectional area or perimeter and rectal p ressure. METHODS: We developed an anal probe for transrectal endosonog raphy. The probe was tested in vitro, and rectal compliance of six hea lthy patients was determined. RESULTS: In vitro measurements proved th e method to be well reproducible. The method allowed calculation of an endosonographic rectal compliance, which correlated well with rectal compliance measured by the standard method. CONCLUSION: Endosonographi c determination of rectal compliance is possible, and the endosonograp hic method may give a more precise and reproducible estimation of rect al compliance.