<p>Oral 111-Indium-DTPA colonic scintigraphy was used to assess segmental transit in 23 patients with slow transit constipation (STC) and 13 controls. The transit time did not differ between patients and controls in the right colon, whereas the patients had a consistent delay from the transverse colon and distally (<i>P</i><0.05–0.001). Two individual patients had a delay in the right colon.</p><p>Twenty-eight patients underwent a left- (n=26) or a right (n=2) hemicolectomy for STC, after evaluation including colonic scintigraphy. Twenty-three patients (80%) were satisfied with the outcome after a median of 50 months. The median stool frequency increased from one to seven per week (<i>P</i><0.001). The number of patients with bloating, excessive straining and painful defecation decreased (<i>P</i><0.05). The laxative use decreased (<i>P</i><0.01) and faecal continence was unchanged. A blunted rectal sensation correlated to a poor outcome.</p><p>Fifty constipated patients with slow colonic transit and 28 controls were investigated with anorectal manovolumetry. Anal resting pressure was lower (<i>P</i><0.05), and squeeze pressure tended to be lower (<i>P</i>=0.09) in patients. Rectal sensation was not different between groups, although ten patients had a threshold for filling sensation above the 95^th percentile of controls. The rectal compliance was increased in patients (<i>P</i><0.05–0.01).</p><p>Total and segmental colonic transit was assessed with radio-opaque marker study and scintigraphy in 35 constipated patients, and related to normal values. Twenty-seven of 31 female patients had a prolonged total transit time on marker study, and 26 on scintigraphy. Of those 31 patients, 29 had prolonged segmental transit only in one or two segments on marker study. The two methods gave a similar result, except in the descending colon (<i>P</i><0.05). However, the results varied considerably for individual patients.</p><p>In conclusion, patients with STC often benefit from a segmental colonic resection, following assessment including scintigraphy. Anorectal physiology testing may predict surgical results.</p>

Oral 111-Indium-DTPA colonic scintigraphy was used to assess segmental transit in 23 patients with slow transit constipation (STC) and 13 controls. The transit time did not differ between patients and controls in the right colon, whereas the patients had a consistent delay from the transverse colon and distally (P&lt;0.05–0.001). Two individual patients had a delay in the right colon. Twenty-eight patients underwent a left- (n=26) or a right (n=2) hemicolectomy for STC, after evaluation including colonic scintigraphy. Twenty-three patients (80%) were satisfied with the outcome after a median of 50 months. The median stool frequency increased from one to seven per week (P&lt;0.001). The number of patients with bloating, excessive straining and painful defecation decreased (P&lt;0.05). The laxative use decreased (P&lt;0.01) and faecal continence was unchanged. A blunted rectal sensation correlated to a poor outcome. Fifty constipated patients with slow colonic transit and 28 controls were investigated with anorectal manovolumetry. Anal resting pressure was lower (P&lt;0.05), and squeeze pressure tended to be lower (P=0.09) in patients. Rectal sensation was not different between groups, although ten patients had a threshold for filling sensation above the 95th percentile of controls. The rectal compliance was increased in patients (P&lt;0.05–0.01). Total and segmental colonic transit was assessed with radio-opaque marker study and scintigraphy in 35 constipated patients, and related to normal values. Twenty-seven of 31 female patients had a prolonged total transit time on marker study, and 26 on scintigraphy. Of those 31 patients, 29 had prolonged segmental transit only in one or two segments on marker study. The two methods gave a similar result, except in the descending colon (P&lt;0.05). However, the results varied considerably for individual patients. In conclusion, patients with STC often benefit from a segmental colonic resection, following assessment including scintigraphy. Anorectal physiology testing may predict surgical results.

Le Spina Bifida est une maladie congénitale rare due à anomalie de fermeture du tube neural ayant des conséquences physiques et fonctionnelles multiples. La prise en charge des séquelles digestives du Spina Bifida ne fait l’objet d’aucun consensus national ou international. Les objectifs de cette thèse translationnelle étaient de caractériser les plaintes anorectales des patients adultes ayant un Spina Bifida, d’en préciser les mécanismes physiopathologiques sous-jacents à partir des données de la manométrie anorectale et du barostat rectal et en étudiant les fonctions de la barrière épithéliale intestinale. Les plaintes anorectales des patients adultes ayant un Spina Bifida représentent leur deuxième plainte en terme de fréquence et sont l’incontinence fécale, et la constipation. Ces troubles peuvent évoluer au cours du temps ce qui justifie un suivi digestif au long cours. Le niveau lésionnel neurologique n’est ni associé aux troubles digestifs ni à à leur évolution. Les patients ayant un Spina Bifida ont une atteintede la fonction anale (défaut de contraction) et des fonctions rectales (diminution du tonus et de la compliance rectale). Ils ont également une hyperperméabilité paracellulaire et une diminution de la densité du tissu conjonctif; ces 2 anomalies étant corrélées entre elles. L’augmentation de la perméabilité paracellulaire était négativement corrélée avec la compliance rectale. Enfin, les patients ayant un Spina Bifida ont une augmentation de l’expression de TGFBeta1. Les anomalies des fonctions anorectales et de la barrière épithéliale intestinale pourraient être des cibles thérapeutiques potentielles dans la prise en charge des troubles anorectaux des patients adultes ayant un Spina Bifida. / Spina Bifida is a rare congenital disorder caused by an abnormal neural tube closure with multiple physical and functional consequences. The management of the digestive disorders of Spina Bifida is not consensual. The objectives of this present work were to characterize the anorectal complaints of adult patients with Spina Bifida, to specify the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms from the data of anorectal manometry and rectal barostat and to study the functions of the intestinal epithelial barrier. The anorectal complaints of adult patients with Spina Bifida represent their second complaint and are faecal incontinence and constipation. These disorders can change over time which justifies long-term digestive follow-up. The level of neurological lesion is neither associated with digestive disorders nor with their evolution. Patients with Spina Bifida have impaired anal function (lack of contraction) and rectal function (decreased tone and rectal compliance). They also have paracellular hyperpermeability and decreased connective tissue density ; these 2 anomalies are interrelated. The increase in paracellular permeability was negatively correlated with rectal compliance. Finally, patients with Spina Bifida have an increased expression of TGFBeta1. Abnormalities of anorectal function and intestinal epithelial barrier may be potential therapeutic targets in the management of anorectal disorders in adult patients with Spina Bifida.