Background/Aims:
@EN Constipation or defecatory difficulty is a symptom with multifactorial etiologies, and understanding of the underlying physiologic abnormalities has facilitated successful treatment for patients with constipation. This study was carried out
to
evaluate the underlying pathophysiologies of colorectal motor functions in patients with chronic constipation or defecatory difficulty.
@ES Methods:
@EN Between January 1993 and December 1993, 80 patients (M:15, F:65, mean age 47 years, ranged 15~80) with constipation and/or defecatory difficulty (negative colonoscopy, barium enema, and biochemical tests), were evaluated by questionnaire,
office
examination, colon transit studies, anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion studies, electromyography of the pelvic floor and defecography.
@ES Results:
@EN Based on these studies, patients were categorized as follows: slow transit constipation, 4 patients; pelvic floor disorders, 50 patients; combined slow transit and pelvic floor disorders, 17 patients, and idiopathic constipation, 9 patients.
Among
67 patients with pelvic floor disorders, 30 patients were observed to have rectocele; 24 patients, rectal intussusception; 24 patients, descending perineal syndrome; 14 patients, anismus; 14 patients, abnormal rectal sensation; 8 patients, rectal
prolapse.
@ES Conclusions:
@EN The majority (over 80%) of Korean chronic constipated patients is shown to have pelvic floor disorders. (Korean J Gastroenterol 1995; 27: 388-393)
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