Rectal compliance in the assessment of patients with fecal incontinence

Abstract
Rectal compliance (dV/dP) was studied in 31 patients with fecal incontinence, 8 patients with constipation, and 16 control subjects. Patients with fecal incontinence experienced a constant defecation urge at a lower rectal volume and also had a lower maximal tolerable volume and a lower rectal compliance than control subjects (median 126vs.155 ml, 170vs.220 ml, and 9vs.15 ml/mm Hg, respectively; tP