These disorders can be complex, as they may involve the gastrointestinal tract, genitourinary tract and/or the pelvic musculoskeletal system. Therefore, an evaluation by a team of different kinds of doctors is important. At BMC, colorectal and gastrointestinal surgeons, gastroenterologists, gynecologists, urologists, therapists, psychologists, and primary care physicians all work together to determine the best course of treatment for individual patients. For most patients, medical treatment or biofeedback is successful. For those patients who require surgery, minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques are often utilized. We care for patients with:
- Abdominal and pelvic pain
- Cystocele
- Diarrhea and/or constipation
- Fecal and urinary incontinence
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Rectal bleeding
- Rectal, uterine and or vaginal prolapse
- Rectocele
- Sexual dysfunction and impotence
Diagnostic Tests
Rectal Manometry Test
Anorectal manometry is an outpatient test that evaluates bowel function in patients with constipation or stool leakage.
Defecography and Transanal Ultrasound
Defecography is a medical exam that uses ultrasound to visualize how a patient releases stool from their body, in real time.
EMG (Electromyogram)
Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic test to evaluate the health of muscles and the nerve cells that control them. Motor neurons transmit electrical signals that cause muscles to contract. An EMG uses tiny devices called electrodes to transmit or detect electrical signals. These are then interpreted by a specialist. EMGs can include placing a needle electrode into a specific muscle to measure its electrical activity, and a nerve conduction study, which is using electrodes taped to the skin to measure the speed and strength of signals traveling between two or more points.
Pudenal Nerve Terminal Motor Latency Testing
The pudenal nerves control the body's ability to constrict the sphinter muscle. In this test, the time it takes to constrict is measured.
Colon Transit Time Testing
A colon transit study allows a doctor to evaluate the function of the colon by measuring the time it takes for food to move from the small intestine into the rectum.
Treatment Options
Overlapping Sphincteroplasty
Overlapping sphincteroplasty is surgery to repair a damaged anal sphincter, the muscle that allows you to hold stool in your body. The external anal sphincter forms a ring around the anus and if damaged, the surgeon will reattached damaged ends and stitch them together to create a complete ring shaped muscle, restoring the proper shape.
Laparoscopic Colectomy with Ileorectal Anastomosis
A laparoscopic colectomy is an operation that removes the large intestine.
Perineal procedures
Procedure that repair damage to the perineum and vulva that a woman may have from child birth, obesity, inadequate innervation, or sexual penetration.
Biofeedback
A mind-body technique in which people learn how to control involuntary parts of their body such as blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and brainwave frequency.