Correlation of Rectal Prolapse with AAR Parameters
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Correlation of Anal Acoustic Reflectometry parameters with degree of Rectal Intussusception and Prolapse
IRAS ID
192134
Contact name
Karen Telford
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University Hospital of South Manchester
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 3 months, 4 days
Research summary
Anal Acoustic Reflectometry (AAR) is a reliable and reproducible technique that has been studied in our department over the last 6 years. Sound waves pass into a balloon placed in the anal canal and are used to measure the cross-sectional area. By gradually increasing and decreasing the pressure in the balloon we can measure the pressure at which the cross-sectional area starts to increase and decrease, and the anal canal starts to open and close. This assessment mimics the natural opening and closing of the anal canal and the effect of squeezing the muscles.\n\nRectal intussusception occurs when the rectal wall telescopes into itself distally and is termed prolapse when it protrudes through the anal canal. Not all patients will require surgery and, for some, it can lead to debilitating symptoms of constipation, pain and faecal incontinence. Currently, the Oxford grading system through radiological testing is used for classifying severity of rectal intussusception and prolapse; however this does not give us sufficient information about the anal sphincter muscles. \n\nThe gold standard investigation of the anal sphincter muscles has been manometry which measures anal canal pressure at rest and during squeeze. However, it has limitations. In previous studies AAR has shown promise in the assessment of faecal incontinence and, that unlike manometry, it has been able to distinguish between different types of incontinence. Thus far, it has not been studied in patients with rectal intussusception and it is hoped that AAR parameters may provide an indication of when rectal intussusception becomes overt rectal prolapse. This can inform the clinician to guide further management of a group of patients with a condition that can have significant impact on quality of life.\n\n
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/NW/0033
Date of REC Opinion
19 Feb 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion