Background: It is well known that the muscles of the anus perform a critical role in maintaining continence. Any defect in their structure can negatively affect the physiological control of feces. Anorectal electro-stimulation proved to improve the anal musculature. The exact effect remains unclear
Aim of the work: The present work aimed to investigate the effect of cutaneous electrical stimulation upon regeneration of the injured anal sphincter in a rat.
Material and methods: 30 adult female albino rats were divided into four groups. Group I (12 rats): control group (IA) and sham group (IB). The other 3 groups (6 rats each) were subjected to anal sphincter injury. Group II: rats were subjected to anal sphincter injury. Group III: rats were left for spontaneous healing for 3weeks. Group IV: received cutaneous anal electric stimulation for three weeks. At the end of the determined period, rats were sacrificed, specimens from the lower part of anal canal were processed for paraffin and semithin sections and stained with Haematoxylin and Eosin, Masson's trichrome, Toluidine blue and immune-histochemical stains (anti-desmin and anti alpha-SMA- antibodies) .
Results: Group II showed marked affection of both external and internal anal muscles. Group III showed disorganization of normal histological architecture of both anal muscles . On the other hand, group IV revealed findings indicating regeneration of the muscle fibers .
Conclusion: The use of the cutaneous electric stimulation proved to be useful in muscle healing with regaining almost the normal architecture of the injured external and internal anal muscles.