Colorectal motor and sensory function after hysterectomy.

PURPOSE: Women may develop constipation after hysterectomy. The and underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. They may originate from neural damage of rectum and colon or changes in anatomical constellation remaining pelvic organs. The aim of this study is to evaluate sensory functions of rectum and colon in women with newly developed constipation hysterectomy in comparison with women without constipation and healthy after hysterectomy . METHODS: Barostat measurements were performed in posthysterectomy women with constipation (PH-C), without constipation and healthy controls (n = 10, every group). Outcome measures were rectal colonic compliance (millilitre per millimetre of mercury), rectocolonic perception in reaction to mechanical distension (millimetre; VAS scores) rectocolonic reflex (millilitre per millimetre of mercury). RESULTS: No differences in rectal or colonic compliance were observed. Urge rectal distension increased significantly in controls (from 7 +/- 5 to mm; p < 0.05) and PH-NC group (from 3 +/- 1 to 24 +/- 9 mm; p < 0.05), PH-C patients (1 +/- 1 to 11 +/- 5 mm; ns). In healthy controls and the