PERITONEOCELE AND ENTEROCELE - FORMATION AND TRANSFORMATION DURING RECTAL EVACUATION AS STUDIED BY MEANS OF DEFAECO-PERITONEOGRAPHY

Purpose. To study, by means of defaeco-peritoneography, the formation and transformation of the peritoneocele, with and without an enterocel e, during rectal evacuation. Material and Methods. Forty-six patients with a peritoneocele at defaeco-peritoneography were selected for the study, and examined at three different stages: 1) at the start with a contrast-filled rectum; 2) at maximum straining; and 3) at rest after rectal evacuation. Results: Fourteen patients had a peritoneocele at t he start. These peritoneoceles were largest at maximum straining and w ere all still present at rest after rectal evacuation. In 32 patients defaeco-peritoneography was regarded as normal at the start. At maximu m straining these patients developed a peritoneocele and 20 of these w ere still present after rectal evacuation. No enterocele was seen at t he start. At maximum straining 21 patients developed an enterocele and 15 of these were still present after rectal evacuation. Liquid in var ying amounts was found in the peritoneoceles. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated that peritoneoceles were present at different stage s of the defaeco-peritoneographic investigations. Peritoneoceles were most frequent and largest at maximum straining. An enterocele was pres ent in half of the peritoneoceles at maximum straining, but never at t he start. Liquid was often present in the peritoneoceles.