Abstract
In 60 patients with idiopathic anorectal incontinence, without neurological disease, there was a significant relationship, shown by regression analysis, between the pudendal nerve terminal motor latency and the extent of perineal descent during straining (r0.59;p<0.001), and the plane of the perineum on straining (r−0.61;p<0.001). These data are consistent with the suggestion that perineal descent can lead to stretch-induced damage to the perineal nerves in this condition.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
Avoid common mistakes on your manuscript.
References
Swash M (1985) New concepts in incontinence. Br Med J 290:4–5
Parks AG, Swash M, Urich H (1977) Sphincter denervation in anorectal incontinence and rectal prolapse. Gut 18:656–665
Beersiek F, Parks AG, Swash M (1979) Pathogenesis of anorectal incontinence; a histometric study of the anal sphincter musculature. J Neurol Sci 42:111–127
Neill ME, Swash M (1980) Increased motor unit fibre density in the external anal sphincter muscle in anorectal incontinence; a single fibre EMG study. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 43:343–347
Bartolo DCC, Jarratt JA, Read MG, Donnelly TC, Read NW (1983) The role of partial denervation of the puborectalis muscle in idiopathic faecal incontinence. Br J Surg 70:664–667
Womack NR, Morrison JFB, Williams NS (1986) The role of pelvic floor denervation in the aetiology of idiopathic faecal incontinence. Br J Surg 73:404–407
Henry MM, Swash M (1985) Coloproctology and the pelvic floor. Butterworth, London, pp 406
Kiff ES, Swash M (1984) Slowed conduction in the pudendal nerves in idiopathic (neurogenic) faecal incontinence. Br J Surg 71:614–616
Snooks SJ, Barnes PRH, Swash M (1984) Damage to the innervation of the voluntary anal and periurethral sphincter musculature in incontinence. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 47:1269–1273
Snooks SJ, Badenoch D, Tiptaft R, Swash M (1985) Perineal nerve damage in genuine stress urinary incontinence; an electrophysiological study. Br J Urol 57:422–426
Snooks SJ, Henry MM, Swash M (1985) Abnormalities in central and peripheral nerve conduction in anorectal incontinence. J R Soc Med 78:294–300
Henry MM, Parks AG, Swash M (1982) The pelvic floor musculature in the descending perineum syndrome. Br J Surg 69:470–472
Kiff ES, Barnes PRH, Swash M (1984) Evidence of pudendal neuropathy in patients with perineal descent and chronic straining at stool. Gut 25:1279–1282
Snooks SJ, Nicholls RJ, Henry MM, Swash M (1985) Electrophysiological and manometric assessment of the pelvic floor in solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. Br J Surg 72:131–133
Snooks SJ, Swash M, Setchell M, Henry MM (1984) Injury to the pelvic floor sphincter musculature in childbirth. Lancet 2:546–550
Parks AG (1975) Anorectal incontinence. Proc R Soc Med 68:681–690
Oettle GJ, Roe AM, Bartolo DCC, Mortensen NJ McC (1985) What is the best way of measuring perineal descent? A comparison of radiographic and clinical methods. Br J Surg 72:999–1001
Parks AG, Porter NH, Hardcastle J (1966) The syndrome of the descending perineum. Proc R Soc Med 59:477–482
Snooks SJ, Barnes PRH, Swash M, Henry MM (1985) Damage to the innervation of the pelvic floor musculature in chronic constipation. Gastroenterology 89:971–981
Swash M, Snooks SJ (1986) Slowed motor conduction in lumbosacral nerve roots in cauda equina lesions; a new diagnostic technique. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 49: 808–816
Bartolo DCC, Roe AM, Mortensen NJ McC (1986) The relationship between perineal descent and denervation of the puborectalis in continent patients. Int J Colorect Dis 1:91–95
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Jones, P.N., Lubowski, D.Z., Swash, M. et al. Relation between perineal descent and pudendal nerve damage in idiopathic faecal incontinence. Int J Colorect Dis 2, 93–95 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01647699
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01647699