The ‘Draw‐the‐Family Test’ in the preoperative assessment of patients with anorectal diseases and psychological distress: a prospective controlled study

Aim Some benign anorectal diseases may have psychosomatic aetiology, but patients often refuse direct psychological counselling. The Draw‐the‐Family Test (DFT) is a simple indirect investigation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the DFT in patients with psychological problems undergoing surgery for benign anorectal disease and to correlate the results with surgical outcome. Method DFT was administered prior to surgery to 62 patients with benign anorectal disease who admitted psychological problems at the time of the outpatient visit. Of these 18 (29%) had functional disease, mainly obstructed defecation (OD) while 44 (71%) had organic disease (haemorrhoids, fissures, pilonidal sinus or fistula). DFT was also administered to 40 healthy control subjects. Each DFT was judged as normal or pathological according to 10 parameters. Patients were followed up for a median of 12 months (range 3–64) and divided into two outcome groups, success (n = 58) and failure (n = 12) according to the results of a questionnaire. The DFT of all patients was then correlated with the outcome. Results None of the patients refused DFT. All DFT parameters but one (animal/things instead of human beings) were more frequent in patients compared with controls (P < 0.05). When comparing separately organic or functional disease patients with controls, one parameter (absence of patient in the drawing) was only pathological in the organic disease group (P < 0.05). Another parameter (schematic figures) was more frequently altered in the organic disease group compared with the functional disease group (P = 0.01). Eight out of 10 parameters were more frequently pathological in patients who failed after treatment, but none reached statistical significance. Conclusion Results of DFT in patients with anorectal disease admitting to psychological problems are markedly different from healthy controls. Patients with organic disease and those with functional bowel disease have different DFT profiles. In our study group, DFT had an excellent compliance but could not predict the outcome of surgery.     

Outcome after rectovaginal fascia reattachment for rectocele repair

Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the effects of rectovaginal fascia reattachment on symptoms and vaginal topography. Study Design: Standardized preoperative and postoperative assessments of vaginal topography (the Pelvic Organ Prolapse staging system of the International Continence Society, American Urogynecologic Society, and Society of Gynecologic Surgeons) and 5 symptoms commonly attributed to rectocele were used to evaluate 66 women who underwent rectovaginal fascia reattachment for rectocele repair. All patients had abnormal fluoroscopic results with objective rectocele formation. Results: Seventy percent (n = 46) of the women were objectively assessed at 1 year. Preoperative symptoms included the following: protrusion, 85% (n = 39); difficult defecation, 52% (n = 24); constipation, 46% (n = 21); dyspareunia, 26% (n = 12); and manual evacuation, 24% (n = 11). Posterior vaginal topography was considered abnormal in all patients with a mean Ap point (a point located in the midline of the posterior vaginal wall 3 cm proximal to the hymen) value of –0.5 cm (range, –2 to 3 cm). Postoperative symptom resolution was as follows: protrusion, 90% (35/39; P < .0005); difficult defecation, 54% (14/24; P < .0005); constipation, 43% (9/21; P = .02); dyspareunia, 92% (11/12; P = .01); and manual evacuation, 36% (4/11; P = .125). Vaginal topography at 1 year was improved, with a mean Ap point value of –2 cm (range, –3 to 2 cm). Conclusion: This technique of rectocele repair improves vaginal topography and alleviates 3 symptoms commonly attributed to rectoceles. It is relatively ineffective for relief of manual evacuation, and constipation is variably decreased. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:1360-4.)     

Laparoscopic anterior and posterior native tissue repair: a new pelvic floor approach

Introduction: Traditionally, a cystocele caused by a midline defect of the pelvic fascia is treated by vaginal fascia duplication, also known as anterior colporraphy. The rectocele is managed by suturing the posterior fascia and, frequently, the levator ani muscles. We developed the approach of laparoscopic anterior and posterior fascia repair by native tissue.

Material and methods: The methods were based on anterior and posterior exposure of pelvic fascia similar to the preparation of an extended sacral colpopexy. The fascia was compressed and narrowed by absorbable woven sutures, size 1. Twenty-seven patients were followed up for 6–13?months. All patients received additional apical fixation by pectopexy.

Results: In the examination group, 13 patients underwent anterior laparoscopic fascia repair and 23 had posterior repair. We detected one apical and one posterior relapse, and also one in the anterior repair group. The patient with the apical relapse reported pain and de novo urgency. Anatomical reconstruction was achieved in all other patients.

Summary: Laparoscopic anterior and posterior native tissue repair appears to be a feasible method for the treatment of midline cystocele and rectocele. No new risks were observed. The technique leaves no scar in the vagina and is well accepted.

Abbreviations: POPQ: Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification System; FDA: Food and Drug Association; US: United States; Fig: Figure; ICIQ: International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire     

直肠前壁修补联合痔上黏膜环切术治疗女性直肠前突引起的出口梗阻型便秘的临床效果评价

目的:研究直肠前壁修补联合痔上黏膜环切术(PPH)治疗女性直肠前突引起的出口梗阻型便秘的临床价值。方法：将2004?008年在本院诊断并符合手术指征的女性直肠前突患者随机分为单纯直肠前壁修补和直肠前壁修补加PPH两组,分别观察其有效率和Longo’s ODS评分。结果：直肠前壁修补组总有效率为87.71%,直肠前壁修补加PPH组总有效率为97.5%,二者比较差异有显著性（P＜0.01）;直肠前壁修补术组Longo’s ODS评分由术前的17.34±2.77降至6.31±1.31,直肠前壁修补加PPH组Longo’s ODS评分由术前的17.25±2.81降至5.39±1.62,两组患者术后生活质量均有改善,但直肠前壁修补联合PPH效果明显优于单纯直肠前突修补术（P＜0.01）;两组患者均无严重手术并发症。结论：直肠前壁修补联合PPH是治疗女性直肠前突引起的出口梗阻型便秘的安全有效方法,优于单纯直肠前壁修补术。     

经肛门闭式修补术加耻骨直肠肌部分切开术治疗直肠前突临床研究

目的:探讨直肠前突型便秘手术治疗的最佳方法.方法:对44例直肠前突型便秘患者采用经肛门闭式修补术(Block's repair,BR)加耻骨直肠肌部分切开术治疗.结果:BR加耻骨直肠肌部分切开术治疗直肠前突型便秘疗效确切,符合排便过程中肛管力学原理,纠正了肛管所受作用力方向,手术创伤小,并发症少,恢复快,无复发.结论:全部病例术后便秘缓解,均获得满意疗效.     

直肠前突与出口梗阻性便秘的关系

目的探讨直肠前突与功能性出口梗阻性便秘的关系及临床意义。方法回顾性分析417例功能性出口梗阻性便秘患者的临床和动态排粪造影资料。对直肠前突病例的力排过程进行动态回放,并分析其表现。结果①310例有直肠前突。392例有直肠内脱垂,353例有会阴下降,69例有盆底痉挛或耻直肌肥厚。95．20％（397／417）的病例至少存在两种异常,无单发直肠前突病例。男女患者间比较,直肠前突、会阴下降、盆底痉挛或耻直肌肥厚的发生率差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．01）,但直肠内脱垂的发生率差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。②直肠前突病例力排过程动态回放：直肠内钡剂排空或接近排空、直肠远端增粗粘膜堆积226例,占72．90％;直肠内钡剂不排或呈滴状排出、远端粘膜脱入肛管和（或）盆底痉挛或耻直肌肥厚71例,占22．90％;前突囊袋缩小不明显、囊袋后方直肠内脱垂13例,占4．20％。结论直肠前突不是引起便秘的主要原因,明确直肠前突与功能性出口梗阻性便秘的关系对临床制定治疗方案有指导意义。     

A prospective evaluation of occult disorders in obstructed defecation using the ''iceberg diagram''

OBJECTIVE: Surgical treatment of constipation and obstructed defecation (OD) carries frequent recurrences, as OD is an 'iceberg syndrome' characterized by 'underwater rocks' or occult diseases which may affect the outcome of surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate occult disorders in order to alert the clinician of these and minimize failures. METHOD: One hundred consecutive constipated patients with OD symptoms, 81 female patients, median age 52 years, underwent perineal examination, proctoscopy, anorectal manometry, and anal/vaginal ultrasound. Anorectal physiology and imaging tests were also carried out when indicated, as well as psychological and urogynaecological consultation. Symptoms were graded using a modified 1-20 constipation score. Both evident (e.g. rectocele) and occult (e.g. anismus) diseases were prospectively evaluated using a novel 'iceberg diagram'. The type of treatment, whether conservative or surgical, was also recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-four (54%) patients had both mucosal prolapse and rectocele. All patients had at least two occult OD-related diseases, 66 patients had at least three: anxiety-depression, anismus and rectal hyposensation were the most frequent (66%, 44% and 33% respectively). The median constipation score was 11 (range 2-20), the median number of 'occult disorders' was 5 (range 2-8). Conservative treatment was carried out in most patients. Surgery was carried out in 14 (14%) patients. CONCLUSION: The novel 'iceberg diagram' allowed the adequate evaluation of OD-related occult diseases and better selection of patients for treatment. Most were managed conservatively, and only a minority were treated by surgery.     

Posterior vaginal prolapse and bowel function

Objective: This study’s objectives were to describe symptoms related to bowel dysfunction in women with uterovaginal prolapse and to compare these symptoms according to extent of posterior vaginal prolapse. Study Design: One hundred forty-three women completed a questionnaire assessment of bowel function and underwent standardized physical examination according to the International Continence Society’s system for grading uterovaginal prolapse. Results: The mean age was 59.2 years (SD 11.8 years); 78% of the women were postmenopausal. According to the furthest extent of posterior vaginal prolapse at point Bp, 22 (15.5%) were in stage 0, 46 (32.4%) were in stage I, 50 (35.2%) were in stage II, 23 (16.2%) were in stage III, and 1 (0.7%) was in stage IV. Ninety-two percent of women reported having bowel movements at least every other day. When asked whether straining was required for them to have a bowel movement, 38 (26.6%) reported never or rarely, 71 (49.6%) reported sometimes, 20 (14.0%) reported usually, and 14 (9.8%) reported always. When asked whether they ever needed to help stool come out by pushing with a finger in the vagina or rectum, 98 (69.0%) reported never or rarely, 30 (21.1%) reported sometimes, 8 (5.6%) reported usually, and 6 (4.2%) reported always. Twenty-three women (16.1%) had fecal incontinence, with 11 having loss of control of stool less often than once a month and 12 having it more often than once a month. When asked whether to rate how much they were bothered by their bowel function on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being not at all and 10 being extremely, 51.7% of women chose 1 to 4, 20.3% chose 5 to 7, and 28% chose ≥8. There were no clinically significant associations between any of the questions related to bowel function and severity of posterior vaginal prolapse. Conclusion: Women with uterovaginal prolapse frequently have symptoms related to bowel dysfunction, but this is not associated with the severity of posterior vaginal prolapse. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1998;179:1446-50.)     

八珍汤加味联合STARR术治疗直肠前突(中气亏虚证)的临床观察

目的 观察八珍汤加味联合STARR术治疗直肠前突(中气亏虚证)的临床疗效.方法 将200例直肠前突(中气亏虚证)患者随机分为对照与治疗组各100例,对照组采用STARR术治疗,治疗组采用八珍汤加味联合STARR术治疗,疗程30 d,观察两组治疗前后排便困难、排便不尽感主症及肛门梗阻感、肛门坠胀感次症评分和直肠前突深度变化情况及临床疗效.结果 两组治疗后主次症状评分及直肠前突深度较治疗前均降低(P<0.05),治疗组降低程度大于对照组(P<0.05),治疗组总有效率高于对照组(P<0.05).结论 八珍汤加味联合STARR术能够显著减轻直肠前突(中气亏虚证)程度,改善临床症状,提高临床疗效.