[Anal incontinence in patients with rectal neoplasms previous to surgical intervention].
OBJECTIVE
Patients with rectal carcinoma may have anal continence disorders before the operation, in relation to age.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the anorectal function in a consecutive sample of patients with rectal carcinoma before the operation.


METHODS
56 consecutive patients with rectal carcinoma were studied and classified into two groups according to anal continence: continent and incontinent. Anorectal function were evaluated in all patients: Perineometry (perineal measurements at rest and during a straining effort), Anal manometry (anal pressures and rectal capacity), Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency.


METHODS
quantitative data: -test (confidence interval), qualitative data: Fischer exact test.


RESULTS
Anal continence: continent 41, incontinent 15. All patients with anal incontinence were more than 60 years old (p<0.01). Mean age: continent 61.3 +/- 12.4, incontinent 74.3 +/- 6 (p<0.01, CI 8.02-17.98). Perineal measurement: at rest: continent 2.97 +/- 0.69. incontinent 2.54 +/- 0.56 (p<0.05, CI 0.03-0.83), with straining effort: continent 1.37 +/- 0.86, incontinent 0.81 +/- 0.92 (p < 0.05, CI 0.03 - 1.86). Pudendal latency: continent 1.9 +/- 0.3, incontinent 2.3 +/- 0.5 (p<0.01, CI 0.11-0.69). There was no significant difference in the manometric data.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with rectal carcinoma have preoperative anal continence alterations, in relation to pelvic disorders and age.
DeMiguel
M
M
Unidad de Coloproctología, Hospital Virgen del Camino, Pamplona.
Ortíz
H
H
Garrido
J R
JR
Morales
G
G
Armendáriz
P
P
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000502:physiology; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D010502:Perineum / Q000502:physiology; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery