Imaging of constipation in infants and children

The aims of this review article are to present epidemiology, important definitions, clinical considerations, and etiologic and pathogenetic aspects of constipation in infants and children. Anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of the the anorectum are described. Special attention is given to the indications for diagnostic imaging, imaging techniques, and imaging findings with different causes of constipation. Other diagnostic modalities, such as anorectal manometry, electromyography, and biopsy techniques are briefly discussed. The central question as to whether diagnostic imaging is needed for the diagnostic workup of infants and children suffering from constipation can be answered affirmatively. Especially the combination of barium enema or defecography and anorectal manometry allows definition of those infants and children who do not need biopsy and surgery for Hirschsprung's disease. The special role of defecography in this context is underlined. Received 16 May 1997; Revision received 5 August 1997; Accepted 6 August 1997     

Klinische und funktionelle Ergebnisse der abdominalen Rektopexie unter Verwendung verschiedener Fixierungsgrundlagen

Zusammenfassung 63 Patienten wurden wegen eines Rektumprolaps durch eine abdominale Rektopexie (Operationsverfahren nach Ripstein-Corman) therapiert. Als Rektopexienahtlagermaterial wurden lyophylisierte Dura-Streifen, ein Vicryl-Netz oder ein Dexon-Netz verwendet. 71,4% (n = 45 von 63) des Kollektivs konnten nachuntersucht wurden, der Nachbeobachtungszeitraum betrug im Mittel 52,5 Monate. Die postoperative verfahrensbedingte Mortalität betrug 0%, im 30-Tage-Intervall nur 1,6% wegen kardialer Komplikationen. Intraoperative Komplikationen traten in 4,7% der Fälle auf. Die postoperative Morbiditätsrate betrug 25,4% (n = 16 von 63), infektbedingte Komplikationen wurden in 12.7% (n = 8 von 63) der Fälle beschrieben, davon 1 Fall mit einer spontan ausgeheilten pelvikutanen Fistel. Ein Rektumprolapsrezidiv zeigte sich in 4,4% (n = 2 von 45) der Fälle (nur Dura-Rektopexie), ein Schleimhautprolaps trat bei 15,5% (n = 7 von 45) der Fälle auf. Postoperativ reduzierten sich Obstipationsbeschwerden um 28,6% (n = 18 von 63) auf 22,2%. Bei Patienten mit einer präoperativen Inkontinenz wurde eine Verbesserung in 60,7% (n = 17 von 28) der Fälle erreicht, 35,7% (n = 10 von 28) waren vollständig kontinent. Die Steigerung der Kontinenzgrade durch eine abdominale Rektopexie ist statistisch signifikant (Wilcoxon-Test, p = 0,05). Die Einflußgrößen hohes Lebensalter, Prolapsanamnesedauer, Geburtenzahl und präoperative Inkontinenzdauer

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Clinical and functional results after abdominal rectopexy: a comparison of dura strips. Vicryl and Dexon gauze as fixation material and suture placement (Ripstein-Corman procedure)

We report our results with abdominal rectopexy (modified Ripstein procedure, Ripstein/Corman) without resection of the colon in 63 patients using lyophylized dura-strips, Vicryl gauze or Dexon gauze, as the underlying fixation material for the mobilized rectum, presacral fascia and fixation suture material. Forty-five of 64 patients (71.4%) were reevaluated by proctoscopic examination and questioning; the mean follow-up time was 52.5 months (range 3–136 months). Postoperative mortality due to the method was 0%; the mortality was 1.6% (n = 1/63) in general for the first postoperative 30-day period as a result of cardiac complications. There were three complications (4.7%) the durating operation. Postoperative morbidity was 25.4% (16/63); infectious complications occurred in 12.7% (8/63) of cases, with one case of spontaneous closure of a pelvicutaneous fistula after intraoperative injury to the rectal wall. Full-thickness rectal prolapse appeared after rectopexy in 4.4% (2/45) (dura material alone) and mucosal prolapse was seen in 15.5% (7/45) of the follow-up group. Constipation was reduced by 28.6% (18/63) to 22.2% during the follow-up. Seventeen of 28 patients (60.7 %) with incontinence showed an improvement; total continence was registered in 35.7% (10/28). The increase in continence as a result of abdominal rectopexy was significant (Wilcoxon, P = 0.05). The special aspects of being in an older age group, having a long history of procidentia, the number of deliveries, the length of the preoperative incontinence period all showed no influence on the postoperative degree of continence (Spearman's rank correlation). In 7/15 cases with persisting incontinence after rectopexy, postanal repair (Parks) was efficient in 7/7 cases leading to total or partial continence. Abdominal rectopexy with the Ripstein-Corman procedure is generally recommended for the treatment of procidentia. Absorbable material for the Ripstein sling is preferred because of the low prolapse recurrency rate and the low infection rate; the absorbability of Vicryl or Dexon gauze might be of advantage in cases of pelvic sepsis after rectopexy, as removal of the gauze is not necessary. Resection of the colon as a treatment for severe constipation is not generally recommended.

     

Erworbene Bauchhöhlenmuskelstörungen

Zusammenfassung Die Bauchhöhle hat ein Faszienskelett, das durch ihren permanenten veränderhchen Ruhetonus verspannt gehalten wird. Zur Bauchhöhle gehören mit der seitlichen Bauchmuskulatur auch das Zwerchfell und der Beckenboden. Willkürliche und reflektorische Tonusänderungen bedingen ihre Verformung und ihren Verschluß oder ihre Eröffnung. Am Versuchstier haben wir diesen Ruhetonus schon in der Schwanzmuskulatur nachgewiesen, von der der Beckenboden des Menschen stammesgeschichtlich abstammt. Der Beckenboden bildet mit den Sphinkteren das anorektale Kontinenzorgan. Es ist, phylogenetisch erklärbar, bei der Frau viel schwächer entwickelt als beim Mann. Diese unterschiedliche Mächtigkeit ist his zu den Kernen des Rückenmarks, die diese Muskulatur steuern, zu verfolgen. Diese Asthenie des weiblichen Kontinenzorgans wird durch das Gebären und die Obstipation noch zusätzlich belastet. Das gleiche gilt für die Bauchdecke der Frau, die, wie hier nachgewiesen wird, nach einer Gravidität die gleichen, bleibenden Denervationserscheinungen ihrer Muskulatur erkennen läß t. Es sind die gleichen Schäden, die der Beckenboden mit den Sphinkteren erleidet. In schwereren Fällen ist neben der Inkontinenz also auch ein Schlotterbauch die Folge dieser Belastungen. Der ruhetonisierte Beckenboden kann das spastische Beckenbodensyndrom, die kontinente Obstipation, zur Folge haben. Sic kann psychotherapeutisch geheilt werden. Davon muß die inkontinente Obstipation unterschieden werden, die manchmal mit einem Mastdarmvorfall einhergeht. Bei ihr liegt das Hindernis im Darm. Sic kann in schweren Fällen durch eine Sigmaresektion gebessert werden. Die Denervationsinkontinenz ist am besten durch das operative Engerstellen des ganzen Levatortrichters zu bessern. Voraussetzung ist: Der gelähmte Beckenboden muß noch eine Restruheaktivität aufweisen.

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Acquired disturbances of muscles of the peritoneal cavity

The peritoneal cavity has a fascial skeleton that is kept under tension by permanent variable resting tone maintained by the abdominal muscles. The lateral abdominal muscles, the diaphragm and the pelvic floor are all components of this fasciomuscular support system. Voluntary and reflective changes in muscle tension allow the entry and exit of matter into and out of the spherical abdominal cavity by opening and closing of specialized wall segments called sphincters. We have previously demonstrated the existence of a resting tone in the tail muscles of mammals from which the human pelvic floor muscles are derived. The pelvic floor and its integrated sphincters form the anorectal organ of continence. This organ is much weaker in females than in males. The spinal centers that govern continence, contain in the female significantly fewer ganglion cells than the corresponding centers in the male. Childbirth and a commonly found tendency to develop constipation are additional stressors for the congenitally weaker female organ of continence. We explain in this paper why the abdominal wall and the pelvic floor may suffer stretch-induced denervation injuries during pregnancy and delivery. Such damage may persist in later life and can give rise to incontinence and flabby abdomen. Based on our work in this field, we found a new differentiation between continent and incontinent constipation. Continent constipation is caused by spasticity of the pelvic floor characterized by abnormally high sphincter activity. This spastic pelvic floor syndrome can be treated successfully by psychotherapeutic techniques. Incontinent constipation, in contrast, is always associated with subnormal activity of the sphincters and may be a cause of rectal prolapse. It can be treated successfully by anterior rectosigmoid resection. Incontinent constipation will also require operative approximation of the levators in many cases. Improvement cannot be expected to result from this procedure, however, unless the pelvic floor shows some residual resting activity.

Korrespondenz an: em. Prof. Dr. Dr. h. c. mult. F. Stelzner     

Defecography: does parity play a role in the development of rectal prolapse?

Few studies related to parity address the changes in anorectal function in women. Since the majority of patients with rectal prolapse are women, we undertook this study to assess the role of parity in the development of rectal prolapse. We retrospectively reviewed defecography studies performed on 354 female patients over a 10-year period. Studies noting the presence of intra-anal and external rectal prolapse (full thickness protrusion of the rectum into and through the anal sphincter) were reviewed. Cases with intrarectal or hidden rectal prolapse, a condition of lesser clinical importance, were excluded. The obstetric histories of the patients with rectal prolapse (n = 27) were compared to those of patients without rectal prolapse (n = 88). There was a larger proportion of nulliparous women in the rectal prolapse group than in the group without rectal prolapse, suggesting that factors in addition to parity play a role in the development of rectal prolapse. However, parous women with rectal prolapse had delivered significantly more children (3.3) than parous women without prolapse (2.5) (P = 0.03). The exact cause of rectal prolapse remains unclear. Childbearing appears to play a limited role in its pathogenesis since nulliparous women are also at risk of developing rectal prolapse. Received: 27 November 1997; Revision received: 15 April 1998; Accepted: 13 May 1998     

后矢状位肛门直肠成形术后便秘原因初探

目的　研究无肛畸形胎鼠直肠盲端神经元细胞分布情况 ,探讨后矢状位肛门直肠成形术 (PSARP)后便秘发生原因。方法　选用 2～ 3个月龄 ,体重 2 5 0～ 30 0g健康Wistar大白鼠 12只 ,其中雌鼠 8只 ,雄鼠 4只。实验组雌鼠为 5只 ,对照组为 3只。雌雄交配后第 11d对实验组 5只雌鼠使用乙烯硫脲 (ethylenethiourea ,ETU)灌胃 (1%乙烯硫脲溶液 ,12 5mg/kg) ,对照组孕鼠在同一天使用等量蒸馏水灌胃。第 2 2d对两组孕鼠剖宫取胎 ,形态学研究取实验组及对照组各一只孕鼠 ,获实验组无肛胎鼠 6只 ,正常 5只 ,对照组胎鼠 10只。对胎鼠盆腔进行正中矢状切片 ,HE染色后在光镜下观察其形态。免疫组化研究将两组剩余孕鼠 (实验组 4只 ,对照组 2只 ) ,获胎鼠实验组无肛、正常和对照组各 2 7只、16只和 2 1只 ,取胎鼠直肠盲端 ,利用神经元特异性烯醇化酶 (neuronspecificenolaseNSE)和S 10 0蛋白标记肠壁内源性神经元细胞及胶质细胞 (SP)法 ,分别对肌间神经元、粘膜下神经元及胶质细胞进行计数并与对照组对比 ,进行统计学分析。结果　实验组无肛胎鼠盆腔正中矢状切面可显示直肠盲端的形态。直肠盲端与对照组直肠肌间神经元细胞数分别为 2 .0 9± 0 .5 0 ,2 .74±0 .5 1;直肠盲端与对照组直肠粘膜下神经元细胞数分别为 0 .72     

枳术汤对脾虚便秘小鼠结肠肥大细胞与胃肠激素的影响

目的观察枳术汤对脾虚便秘小鼠结肠粘膜肥大细胞(MC)的影响及其与P物质(SP)、生长抑素(SS)免疫反应阳性的相关性,探讨该方治疗脾虚便秘的可能作用机制.方法采用饥饱失常和过度疲劳配合燥结便秘的方法复制小鼠脾虚便秘模型,甲苯胺蓝改良法及LSAB免疫组织化学标记法进行MC和SP、SS的检测,用IMS型彩色图像系统和免疫组化分析软件进行分析.结果脾虚便秘模型小鼠结肠粘膜肥大细胞密度明显降低;其MC密度与结肠粘膜SP免疫反应阳性强度均值(r=0.6508,P＜0.01)、面积(r=0.684,P＜0.01)呈正相关;而与SS免疫反应阳性强度均值(r=-0.7568,P＜0.01)、面积(r=-0.683,P＜0.01)呈负相关.大、中剂量的枳术汤能使脾虚便秘小鼠结肠粘膜MC密度增加,并一定程度上使SP免疫反应阳性增强,SS的免疫反应阳性减弱.结论调节肠壁粘膜SP、SS免疫反应阳性强度,影响MC释放5-HT、组胺从而调整胃肠运动功能,这可能是枳术汤治疗脾虚便秘的机制之一.     

益气养阴疏肝润肠方治疗女性慢传输型便秘的临床研究

目的 观察益气养阴疏肝润肠方治疗女性慢传输型便秘(STC)的临床疗效。方法 将60例女性STC患者随机分为2组,治疗组30例应用益气养阴疏肝润肠方口服,对照组30例应用麻仁软胶囊口服,2组治疗3个疗程后观察治疗前后中医临床症状积分变化,比较2组疗效,不同年龄段、病情、病程疗效及远期疗效。结果 治疗组治疗前后排便频率、排便时间、粪便性状、困难程度及兼证积分比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),治疗后上述症状改善。对照组治疗前后排便频率、排便时间、困难程度积分比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),治疗后上述症状改善。2组治疗后排便频率、困难程度、兼证积分比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),治疗组上述症状改善优于对照组。愈显率治疗组69.0%,对照组36.0%,2组愈显率比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),治疗组疗效优于对照组。2组31~50岁、51~70岁年龄段患者总有效率比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05),治疗组治疗中老年STC疗效优于对照组。2组中、重度病情患者总有效率比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),治疗组治疗中、重度STC疗效优于对照组。2组6~10年病程患者总有效率比较差异有统计学意义(P0.05),治疗组6~10年病程患者疗效优于对照组。结论 益气养阴疏肝润肠方治疗女性STC疗效确切。     

大柴胡汤加减治疗内科杂证

大柴胡汤加减治疗胆囊炎、胆石症、急性胰腺炎、便秘、肺炎、偏头痛等内科杂证。     

耳穴压豆治疗骨科卧床患者便秘的疗效研究

目的探讨耳穴压豆疗法治疗骨科卧床患者便秘的临床疗效。方法将80例骨科卧床便秘患者按照入院日期单双数分为耳穴压豆组和对照组各40例,主要从首次排便时间和排便间隔时间方面进行对比观察。治疗组耳穴压豆主穴取大肠、小肠、交感、直肠下段,两耳交替,3天更换穴贴1次,连续治疗10d。对照组口服酚酞,2片/次,3次/d,连续治疗10d。结果 （1）两组患者首次排便时间比较差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,说明耳穴压豆组在首次排便时间方面疗效优于对照组。（2）两组患者排便间隔时间比较差异具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）,说明耳穴压豆组在排便间隔时间方面优于对照组。结论中医技术耳穴压豆法对治疗骨科卧床患者便秘疗效显著,由于方法简便易行,病人依从性高,值得临床推广。     

复方丁香开胃贴联合中药穴位贴敷治疗肺癌患者术后便秘疗效研究*

摘要 目的:观察复方丁香开胃贴联合中药穴位贴敷治疗肺癌患者术后便秘的疗效。方法:选取106例肺癌手术后出现便秘的患者作为研究对象,将所有患者随机分为两组:其中观察组53例（复方丁香开胃贴联合中药穴位贴敷）,对照组53例（药穴位贴敷）,比较两组患者治疗效果及术后排气排便时间。结果:观察组治疗有效率100.00%（53/53）,对照组92.45%（49/53）,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。两组患者术后排气及排便时间的差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。两组患者不良反应的差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。结论:复方丁香开胃贴联合中药穴位贴敷治疗肺癌患者术后便秘疗效较为可靠。