[A speed-constant rectal lavage apparatus prepared in laboratory].
OBJECTIVE
To design a speed-constant rectal lavage apparatus for assessing the rectal and anal function in liquid stool continence and the degree of fecal incontinence.


METHODS
The apparatus was assembled by four common rectal lavage apparatuses, each with a container and a drainage tube.


RESULTS
The device could output a pulsed and speed-constant water stream with high pressure, capable of overcoming any rectal resistance change. The test for liquid continence in 12 patients with incontinence (n=12) and 12 normal control subjects (n=12) found that the retained liquid volume was significantly lower in the incontinence group than in the control group (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Fecal incontinence could be evaluated with the speed-constant rectal lavage apparatus, which yields objective and quantitative results.
Xu
Jia-he
JH
Department of Surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of the Medical School of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003,China.
Li
Yan-dong
YD
D004733:Enema / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008365:Manometry; D011312:Pressure; D012007:Rectum / Q000503:physiopathology*