title: Biofeedback therapy in rectal prolapse patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of perioperative biofeedback training on postoperative continence in patients with rectal prolapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-six consecutive patients were operated on between 1987 and 1993. Twenty-nine could be traced for reexamination. Four were excluded because of a recurring prolapse. Anal manometry, assessment of rectoanal sensation, and surface electromyography were performed during the reexamination. From 1987 to 1991, no perioperative biofeedback training was given (Group 1, n = 14). Since the beginning of 1992, incontinent patients were given biofeedback training (Group 2, n = 11).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Continence scores improved in both study groups. Both study groups had equally low resting pressures compared with Group 3 (controls) (30.6 +/- 14.9 vs. 53.0 +/- 11.9 mmHg; P < 0.001). Anal resting pressure correlated with postoperative continence score, whereas contractile pressures did not (r = -0.5,P < 0.05, and r = -0.3, p = not significant, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Biofeedback therapy can improve the function of external sphincter; however, the most important reason for postoperative incontinence in rectal prolapse patients is low resting pressure that cannot be corrected by biofeedback therapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Central Hospital of Central Finland, Jyväskylä, Finland.
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Hämäläinen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Raivio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Antila
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palmu
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Mecklin
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology / Q000379:methods; D004576:Electromyography; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012005:Rectal Prolapse / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*