Pelvic organ prolapse and anorectal manometry: a prospective study

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between anal sphincter pressure and stage of prolapse and bowel and prolapse symptoms among women undergoing prolapse surgery and to determine whether anal sphincter pressure could predict symptomatic and anatomical outcomes of prolapse surgery. Fortytwo women with pelvic organ prolapse (POP) stage 2-3 were included in this prospective longitudinal study. Pre- and postoperative evaluation by means of a symptom questionnaire, clinical examination and anorectal manometry. The vaginal prolapse surgery included at the very least posterior colporrhaphy. Analysis of variance and covariance and logistic regression models were used for statistical analyses. The anal sphincter pressure at rest and squeeze was significantly lower in women with the symptom vaginal protrusion than in the women without the symptom. No associations were found between anal sphincter pressure and the extent or degree of prolapse or subjective and anatomical outcomes of POP surgery. The prolapse symptom vaginal protrusion is associated with a low anal sphincter pressure but the anal sphincter pressure does not seem to predict the outcome of POP surgery, neither regarding symptoms nor anatomy.

Keywords

• anorectal manometry
• bowel dysfunction
• outcome of surgery
• POP surgery
• prolapse symptom.