Background
Anismus is a functional disorder characterized by dyssynergia and incoordination of pelvic floor muscular contractions at defecation. Despite normal propulsive power used when attempting to defecate, a hypertonic pelvic floor dysfunction results in nonrelaxation or even paradoxical contraction of puborectalis muscle, resulting in failure to straighten the anorectal angle, hence impaired stool evacuation. This study aims at evaluating the outcome of injection of botulinum toxin type-A (BTX-A) in puborectalis muscle in patients with anismus.
Patients and methods
The study included 50 patients who were presented with symptoms of obstructed defecation (OD) and were diagnosed as anismus and failed conservative treatment and biofeedback training. Ultrasound-guided BTX-A injections into puborectalis muscle were done. All patients were followed up for 6 months for OD symptoms and manometric findings.
Results
The current study included 50 patients with a mean age of 36.6±11.9 years presented with anismus for a mean duration of 6.8±2.64 months. There was a statistically significant improvement in the Longo score of OD at 1, 3, and 6 months when compared with the initial values (<0.001), while there was no statistically significant difference noticed in the defecation frequency at 3 and 6 months when compared with the initial records. There was a statistically significant decrease in both resting and squeeze pressures after 3 and 6 months when compared with the initial records (<0.001). The overall satisfaction significantly increased to 68 and 64% after 3 and 6 months, respectively, when compared with 0% satisfaction reported at the initial assessment.
Conclusion
According to the current results, injection of BTX-A therapy in puborectalis muscle in patients with anismus is assumed to be effective for short term with good overall satisfaction.