OPUS study-version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Obstructed defaecation: Proctography versus Ultrasound in Symptomatic patients
IRAS ID
136948
Contact name
Ranee Thakar
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Croydon university hospital
Research summary
Difficulty in emptying the bowels is a relatively common condition and is also called obstructive defecation syndrome (ODS). Often this is caused by the last part of the large bowel (rectum) bulging into the vagina or the small bowel pressing on the rectum, which leads to a sensation of incomplete emptying of the bowel, difficulty to evacuate and needing the fingers to help with the emptying. These symptoms have a significant effect on social, physical, emotional and sexual wellbeing and hence could have a major impact on quality of life.
In patients with these symptoms, the cause of these symptoms is not always visible on clinical examination. Therefore it is necessary to perform further investigations to confirm the diagnosis. Currently this is done at the radiology department by making a series of x-ray images of the rectum and back passage during the moment of emptying the bowels (defecatory proctogram). This investigation involves exposure to radiation and requires preparation of the small and large bowel with contrast. This preparation and the need to defecate in a non-private setting are often bothersome and embarrassing.
Research is now focussed on finding a new tool that could be used in patients with obstructive defecation syndrome to reveal the diagnosis in a less bothersome way. Ultrasound for instance is a much better tolerated technique and avoids exposure to radiation. We want to investigate if ultrasound could help to identify these abnormalities and could eventually replace the use of proctography. Previous studies comparing ultrasound and proctography have been performed with the use of a probe on the perineum (area on the outside of the vagina). We also want to use this ultrasound technique and in addition we will use a probe which will be placed in the vagina to compare which of the two ultrasound techniques is a better method. This study aims to assess the level of agreement between ultrasound and proctography in the diagnosis of obstructive defecation.
REC name
London - Surrey Borders Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
13/LO/1665
Date of REC Opinion
31 Dec 2013
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion