A Study of the Effect of Changes in Ano-Rectal Function after Hysterectomy.

Sunwoo, Jae Gun; Choi, Kyu Yeon; Kim, Min Kwan; Lee, Seul Ki; Bae, Dong Han; Lee, Mun Ho

Original Article

Korean Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology 1999;42(8):1701-1705.
Published online January 1, 2001.

A Study of the Effect of Changes in Ano-Rectal Function after Hysterectomy.

Jae Gun Sunwoo, Kyu Yeon Choi, Min Kwan Kim, Seul Ki Lee, Dong Han Bae, Mun Ho Lee

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
It has been suggested that hysterectomy has a disturbing influence on bowel function, mainly constipation. We performed a prospective study to assess the changes of ano-rectal physiology after hysterectomy. METHODS: Fourteen consecutive patients were assessed before and two months after hysterectomy. A detail questionnaire was devised to allow assessment of bowel function and ano-rectal pressure test and balloon expulsion test were performed before and after hysterectomy. The parameters measured in ano-rectal pressure test included the minimal sensible volume, ano-rectal resting pressure, maximal squeezing pressure, recto-anal inhibitory reflex and balloon expulsion test. Data analysis was carried out by paired t-test. Statistical significance was inferred when the p value was<0.05. RESULTS: Among the fourteen patients, the straining in defecation was found in three patients after operation, other defication habits were not significantly changed after hysterectomy(P>0.05). There were no significant changes in ano-rectal pressure test after hysterectomy. The disturbance of balloon expulsion capacity was increased in four patients after hysterectomy(29%). CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that hysterectomy does not cause a decrease in ano-rectal pressure and rectal sensitivity, but has an adverse effect on rectal expulsion capacity in a some of patients.

Key Words: Hysterectomy, Ano-rectal function