Physiology Of Continence Research Articles

Correlation between pelvic floor strength and physical activity level in healthy men

The male pelvic floor muscles comprise a pair of compound muscle layers referred to as the levator ani. Studies have shown that pelvic floor muscle strength is affected by physical activity. This study aimed to assess male pelvic floor muscle strength through manometry of the external anal sphincter and evaluation of its association with physical activity level, BMI, and rectal pressure in healthy men. To assess physical activity level over the previous week, we used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire 8 (IPAQ). Pelvic floor muscle strength was assessed via anorectal manometry. The results shows a negative correlation between resting pressure and MET, a positive correlation between rectal pressure and resting and maximum pressure. The novel finding of this study is a negative correlation between walking and pelvic floor strength. This study raises new questions about the understanding of the interaction among physical activity, intraabdominal pressure, and pelvic floor strength in the physiology of continence in men.

Teaching Strategies for Assessing and Managing Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults

Urinary incontinence is common and affects many aspects of older adults' lives; therefore, it is essential that nursing faculty include this content in classroom and clinical teaching situations. This article describes innovative strategies for teaching upper-level nursing students (e.g., junior and senior undergraduates) about urinary incontinence in older adults, specifically, the relevant anatomy and physiology of continence and associated pathophysiology of urinary incontinence, risk factors and consequences, definitions and types, and effective nursing assessment and management strategies.

The physiology of continence and evacuation

Continence is maintained by the coordinated function of the pelvic floor, rectum and anal sphincters. Evacuation occurs through a relaxed pelvic floor. The rectum acts to either store or expel stool both of which require cortical sensory awareness acting in conjunction with intramural and spinal reflexes that ensure timely defecation. The anal sphincters act individually and in unison in response to rectal distension and the sensation of rectal filling. Reflex relaxation of the internal anal sphincter has an additional sensory function in allowing sampling of rectal contents in the upper anal canal. Voluntary control of the external anal sphincter is key in the voluntary deferring of evacuation until a socially opportune moment. This review describes the physiological roles of each of these continence organs in order to understand the complex process of defecation.

Artificial graft slings at the midurethra: physiology of continence.

Surgeons have performed multiple variations of the pubovaginal sling procedure in an attempt to achieve reproducible results. In this review, the potential mechanisms by which midurethral slings restore continence are discussed. Surgical techniques are described and the results of recently published data in the literature are presented. Two midurethral slings, which employ loosely woven polypropylene mesh, are the tension-free vaginal tape (Ethicon Inc., Sommerville, NJ) procedure and the SPARC Sling System (American Medical Systems, Minneapolis, MN). They are used in this article to illustrate important clinical concepts.

The physiology of continence: idiopathic fecal constipation and soiling.

The anatomic and functional elements contributing to fecal continence and defecation are explored. The high incidence and importance of chronic idiopathic constipation as an entity in itself and a contributing factor to fecal incontinence are emphasized, and its management is discussed. The importance of a proper clinical history and examination is highlighted, and investigative modalities including radiology, transit studies, and anorectal manometry are described and placed in the context of practical clinical management.

Principal modifications of the Duhamel procedure in the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease

In the literature, many articles refer to the DUHAMEL technique or some of its modifications in the treatment of Hirschsprung's disease, however, no complete review of all of them has been published to date. The authors present an analysis of the principal modifications of this technique based on the results of an international retrospective survey that evaluated a series of 2,430 patients as well as data from the literature. The important role of the internal anal sphincter in the physiology of continence is emphasized; understanding its function is an imperative prerequisite for a successful Duhamel procedure. The original technique, which used two crushing Kocher clamps as proposed by Duhamel in 1956, as well as a majority of the modifications with various spur-crushing instruments are no longer in use. At present, surgeons generally use staplers for the colorectal anastomosis.

Urinary incontinence: a review.

Urinary incontinence is underestimated in occurrence, overemphasized in relation to gender and age, and lacks clarity in terms of classification and treatment. This article provides a review of the literature concerning the concept of urinary incontinence, including a comprehensive description of the mechanisms involved in the physiology of continence and pathophysiology of incontinence. The psychosocial and economic effects of urinary incontinence are addressed, as well as urinary dysfunction in selected populations with cognitive or neurologic impairments.

Single stage Anterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty (ASARP) for Anorectal Malformations with Vestibular Fistula and Perineal Ectopic Anus in Females: A New Approach

Introduction: Despite a better understanding of the embryology, anatomy of anorectal malformations and of the physiology of continence, the management of children born with imperforate anus continues to be a surgical challenge and is still fraught with numerous complications and often leads to less than perfect qualitative results. Pediatric patients with recto-vestibular fistula have good prognoses in terms of bowel function when properly treated. Aim & Objective: The study was designed to assess the surgical morbidity of single stage Anterior Sagittal Anorectoplasty (ASARP). Methodology: This prospective study was carried for a period of 26 months. It included a total of 48 female patients (aged 0 - 14 years) with diagnosis of Anorectal Malformations (ARM) with vestibular fistula or perineal ectopic anus. In ASARP, Patient in lithotomy position, the anterior portion of sphincter muscles were cut through a midline perineal skin incision, rectum was separated from the vagina & then rectum was pulled through the center of these muscles. The perineal body was reconstructed and the normal appearance of perineum was achieved. Results: Short-term surgical outcome was satisfactory in all cases. No one needed colostomy. Conclusion: Single-stage ASARP is a good approach in experience hands for ARM with vestibular fistula and perineal ectopic anus in females and thereby complications and time involved in staged procedures including colostomy can be avoided. Key words: Anterior sagittal anorectoplasty, anorectal malformations, perineal ectopic anus, vestibular fistula. DOI: 10.3126/jnps.v30i1.2458 Journal of Nepal Paediatric Society Vol.30(1) 2010 37-43

Some aspects of the physiology of continence and defaecation.

Some aspects of the physiology of continence and defaecation.