Correlation of three dimensional anorectal manometry and three dimensional endoanal ultrasound findings in primi gravida: a cross sectional study

BACKGROUND: 3-dimensional anorectal manometry (3DARM) and 3-dimensional endoanal ultrasound (3DEAUS) have not been used to assess the anal sphincter complex (ASC) in primi gravida. This study was conducted to identify any correlation that may exist between 3DARM and 3DEAUS. METHODS: We analyzed 3DARM and 3DEAUS data of 101 consecutive primi mothers assessed in the late second trimester or early 3rd trimester. 3DARM was performed using the Given Imaging(®) Manoscan system and 3DEAUS was performed with the Olympus(®) RU 12M-R1 probe and EU-ME1 ultrasound system. RESULTS: The mean age was 24.7 (SD—5.1) years. All patients had a normal Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score. The mean resting pressure (RP) was 87.02 (SD—18.43) mmHg and the maximum squeeze pressure (SP) was 179.21 (SD—52.96) mmHg. The mean length of the high pressure zone was 3.67 (SD—0.52) cm. On 3DEAUS, there were three characteristic segments of the ASC that were identified; upper, middle and lower. Mean thicknesses for both internal anal sphincter (IAS) and external anal sphincter (EAS) were identified for primi gravida. IAS was thicker anteriorly and at 9 o’ clock positions and EAS was thicker posteriorly. There was good correlation in the length of the ASC at each quadrant between 3DARM and 3DEAUS. There was no correlation between either RP or SP thickness of IAS or EAS at each level and quadrant. CONCLUSION: Correlation is seen only in the length of ASC at each quadrant. No correlation exist between RP or SP and thickness of IAS and EAS.