In this study, the anatomy of the anorectum in relation to the surrounding structures and the anorectal angle were analyzed with magnetic resonance (MR) imaging at rest, during perineal contraction, and during straining in 10 asymptomatic subjects. The intra- and inter-observer and intra- and interpatient variations in the measurements of the anorectal angle, position of the anorectal junction, and position of the plica of Kohlrausch in the rectum were established at rest, during perineal contraction, and during straining. The values for the anorectal angle and position of the anorectal junction obtained with MR imaging were compared with standard radiography defecography findings. It was shown that MR imaging has the potential for measuring these parameters in a more precise and more patient-friendly way than defecography. Unlike dynamic defecography, MR imaging is able to depict the mobility of the posterior rectal wall. A descent of over 20 mm from rest to straining should be considered pathologic. This finding might play a role in patient selection for operation.

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Twenty-three patients with rectal prolapse or intussusception were studied to specifically focus on the effect of posterior rectopexy on fecal continence, anal pressure, and rectal capacity. Before operation, five patients were fully continent (A), 10 were continent for solid stools (B) and eight patients were fully incontinent (C). Group A remained fully continent; continence was regained nine times in group B and in group C, three patients regained full continence, two became continent for solid stools, three patients remained incontinent. Other symptoms such as constipation, false urgency, and a feeling of incomplete evacuation were not beneficially influenced by rectopexy. The patients' continence status was correlated to anorectal manometry and rectal capacity measurement. In group B, incremental pressure (P = squeeze - basal P) increased significantly (P less than 0.02) as well as incremental volume (V = maximum tolerated volume - volume of first sensation) (P less than 0.05). We conclude that, by an increase of incremental anal pressure and incremental rectal volume, posterior rectopexy offers an 83 percent chance of regaining full continence, or a major improvement, and a 17 percent chance of stabilization of fecal incontinence.

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