Pelvic prolapse: assessment with evacuation proctography (defecography)

The contribution of evacuation proctography (EP) to the evaluation of pelvic prolapse was assessed in 74 consecutive patients. A rectocele was demonstrated in 73 patients (99%); large rectoceles frequently showed barium trapping, but there was no correlation between these findings and rectal symptoms. An enterocele was detected at evacuation proctography in 13 patients (18%) (including two enteroceles seen only retrospectively), and a sigmoidocele was shown in four patients (5%). Physical examination resulted in detection of only seven enteroceles and of none of the sigmoidoceles. In 48 patients (65%), additional findings were evident at EP, including excessive pelvic floor descent, anal incontinence, rectal intussusception, and spastic pelvic floor. These data suggest that EP is particularly useful in the preoperative evaluation of pelvic prolapse if the patient has anorectal symptoms or is at risk for an enterocele. EP contributes to surgical planning by enabling identification of clinically unsuspected enteroceles and sigmoidoceles and coexistent disorders of rectal evacuation.