title: Useful parameters helping proctologists to identify patients with defaecatory disorders that may be treated with pelvic floor rehabilitation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  No studies have specifically reported on the use of a diagnostic tool based on physiatric assessment of constipated or incontinent patients
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-seven constipated and 37 incontinent patients were submitted to a standard protocol based on proctologic examination, clinico-physiatric assessment (puborectalis contraction, pubococcygeal test, perineal defence reflex, muscular synergies, postural examination) and instrumental evaluation (anorectal manometry, anal US and dynamic defaecography). Patients were offered pelvic floor rehabilitation (thoraco-abdominoperineal muscle coordination training, biofeedback, electrical stimulation and volumetric rehabilitation).
  
  
  RESULTS
  After rehabilitation treatment, decreases of Wexner constipation score (p=0.0001) and Pescatori incontinence score (p=0.0001) were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This diagnostic protocol might improve the selection of patients with defaecatory disorders amenable for rehabilitation treatment.
authors.affiliation: First Division of General and Gastrointestinal Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy. luigibrusciano@tin.it
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Brusciano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Limongelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: del Genio
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sansone
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rossetti
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Maffettone
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Napoletano
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Sagnelli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Amoroso
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Russo
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pizza
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Del Genio
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D002648:Child; D003248:Constipation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D017773:Pelvic Floor / Q000503:physiopathology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D016896:Treatment Outcome