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. 2005 May;18(2):109-15.
doi: 10.1055/s-2005-870892.

Functional anorectal disorders

Melissa L Times  1 , Craig A Reickert
Affiliations

Functional anorectal disorders

Melissa L Times et al. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2005 May.

Abstract

Functional anorectal disorders include solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, rectocele, nonrelaxing puborectalis syndrome, and descending perineal syndrome. Patients usually present with "constipation," but the clinical picture of these disorders includes rectal pain and bleeding, digitalization, incomplete evacuation, and a feeling of obstruction. Diagnosis is difficult because many findings can be seen in normal patients as well. The diagnosis is made by using a combination of clinical picture, defecography, pathology, and occasionally anometry and pudendal terminal motor nerve latency. These disorders are generally treated medically with dietary changes and biofeedback. Surgical intervention is reserved for patients with intractable symptoms and has not been universally successful.

Keywords: Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome; functional anorectal disorders; nonrelaxing puborectalis syndrome; rectocele.

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