Defaeco-peritoneography in the diagnosis of rectal intussusception and rectal prolapse.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of defaeco-peritoneography in diagnosing rectal intussusception as distinct from mucosal folds in the rectum, and rectal prolapse as distinct from mucosal prolapse.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Fifty-seven patients with defaecation disorders were examined by means of defaeco-peritoneography.

RESULTS

Twenty-three patients had rectal intussusception and 7 patients had rectal prolapse at defaeco-peritoneography. All these patients had a rectal peritoneocele in the serosal ring-pocket of the rectal intussusception or in the rectal prolapse. Twenty-seven patients had neither rectal intussusception nor rectal prolapse and none of these patients had a rectal peritoneocele.

CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that only patients with a rectal intussusception or rectal prolapse have a rectal peritoneocele. Defaeco-peritoneography therefore offers correct diagnosis of rectal intussusception as distinct from mucosal folds in the rectum, and of rectal prolapse as distinct from mucosal prolapse.