E-Posters-Is Pelvic Floor Muscle Contractility Important for Anal Continence?

Is Pelvic Floor Muscle Contractility Important for Anal Continence? - Moshe Gillor, MD, PhD

Pdf Summary

A large retrospective study was conducted to assess the association between pelvic floor muscle contractility (PFMC) and anal incontinence symptoms. The study included 1376 women who underwent clinical examination, 4D translabial ultrasound (TLUS), and interviews to assess various measures of PFMC and anal incontinence. The study found that clinical and sonographic measures of PFMC were not significantly associated with anal incontinence symptoms, once anal sphincter and levator trauma were controlled for. <br /><br />The mean age of the participants was 55 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 29 kg/m2. Anal incontinence was reported by 16% of the patients, with a mean St. Mark’s incontinence score of 12. Levator avulsion and significant external anal sphincter defects were diagnosed in 25% and 8.7% of the patients, respectively. <br /><br />On univariate analysis, sonographic measures of PFMC were not associated with anal incontinence symptoms. Lower Modified Oxford Scale grade, which assesses anal continence, was significantly related to symptoms of anal incontinence, but this association lost statistical significance on multivariable analysis. <br /><br />In conclusion, this study suggests that pelvic floor muscle contractility may not be an important factor for anal continence once anal sphincter and levator trauma are taken into account. Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between PFMC and anal incontinence symptoms.

Keywords

retrospective study

pelvic floor muscle contractility

anal incontinence symptoms

clinical examination

4D translabial ultrasound

PFMC measures

anal sphincter trauma

levator trauma

St. Mark’s incontinence score

Modified Oxford Scale grade