title: [The role of ultrasonic endoscopy in the examination of post-obstetrical anal incontinence].
abstract: Echoendoscopy provides a means of exploring the anorectal and neighbouring areas. The technique has been used for over 10 years in cancerology and more recently in proctology. It can be used to confirm the anatomic integrity of the anal sphincters or to identify and localize damage, making it particularly interesting for the exploration of anal incontinence. Echoendoscopy has been used in several recent series which demonstrated that besides stretch neuropathies, defects in the sphincter play a role in post-obstetrical incontinence. Whether the signs occur early or late after menopause, these ruptures are easily identified with echoendoscopy. Thus, a reliable diagnostic of the anal lesion is possible before any therapeutic decision, not only for anal incontinence but also for prolapsus or urinary incontinence. Further prospective studies should confirm the contribution of echoendoscopy in deciding on surgical repair and help determine, and thus to prevent, the risk of sphincter rupture.
authors.affiliation: Service de gastroentérologie, Hôpital Cochin, Paris.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Roseau
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause; D011351:Proctoscopy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012421:Rupture; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D014549:Urinary Incontinence / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
vernacular_title: Place de l'écho-endoscopie dans l'exploration de l'incontinence anale post-obstétricale.