Defecography in internal invagination of the rectum

: Rectal invagination has been considered an important cause of defecation difficulties and blockade (obstructed defecation). In the present study defecographies performed on 15 patients, with previous diagnosis of rectal invagination have been reviewed. Six patients had an intra-rectal (IR) invagination, three had an intra-anal (IA) invagination, while two patients did not show a typical rectal invagination. In the present series there is a suspected radiologic recurrence of the invagination. Three patients show a tendency to rectal stenosis. Anorectal angles at rest and under straining appears higher than the ones in normal subjects, after rectopexy, anorectal angles do not appear to be significantly changed and the pelvic floor is not significantly raising post-operatively. 7 out of 10 women had a rectocele preoperatively and 4 out 9 postoperatively. In 8 patients it was possible to compare a pre to a post-operative defecography. All patients but one displayed a reduction in the ability in emptying the rectum. The fact that rectal emptying is impaired may suggest that some autonomic denervation might occur following rectal mobilization.