A Comparative Study on Defecography between Constipation Patients and Normal People

Objective:To investigate X-ray appearance differences of defecography between constipation patients and normal people and to analyze the cause of constipation. Methods: Defecography was performed to 109 constipation patients (patient group,group P) and 55 normal people (control group,group C),and the following items were measured in both rest phase and defecation phase: anorectal angle (ARA),distance between anorectal junction (the upper part of anal canal) and the pubococcygeal line (DUAC),distance between intestines and pubococcygeal line (DIPC),presacral space of rectum (PSR),and depth of rectum anterior process (DRAP). At same time,observation was made on rectal mucosa phase,rectal mucosal prolapse (RMP),and intrarectal intussusception (IRI),if there was some. Results: Frequency of abnormity was higher in group P than in group C. The statistical incidence differences of spastic pelvic floor syndrome (SPFS),perineum descend (PD),visceroptosis,and multi-functional export obstruction (MFEO) were significant between groups P and C(P0.05). No significant difference was found in incidences of mild and midrange rectum protrution (RP),RMP and IRI between the 2 groups (P0.05). Among the 109 constipation patients,the SPFS incidence in men (15/29) was higher than that in women (11/80),while MFEO incidence in men (2/29) was lower than that in women (44/80),and the difference was significant(P0.001). Conclusions: Abnormal appearances of defecography can be seen in normal people;SPFS might be the main cause of constipation in men,while the main cause of constipation in women is MFEO;Solitary occurrence of RP,RMP,or IRI,especially in mild cases,may not lead to constipation.