Evaluation of the sphincter function and rectal sensitivity in rectal prolapse associated with fecal incontinence

: It has been suggested that incontinent patients with rectal prolapse develop a relaxation of the internal sphincter at a lower filling volume than those with the same disorder who were continent. A constant relaxation of the internal sphincter during filling before the individual experiences a need to defecate could be a contributory cause of the incontinence in these patients. Aiming to evaluate the former observations we have investigated continent and incontinent patients, with complete and internal rectal prolapse, by mean of the recto-anal manovolumetry. 31 patients were studied, 21 had a complete rectal prolapse and 10 had internal rectal prolapse and 28 sex and age matched controls were selected among volunteers. No difference has been found between the continent and incontinent patients with rectal prolapse, in term of sensory function studied by graded isobaric distention. Moreover, no difference has been found between the rectal volume at which perception of filling and relaxation of the internal sphincter during filling occurs. Therefore, in this respect, the present data are not in agreement with the theory proposed.