Biofeedback for pelvic floor dysfunction in constipation

摘要

Obstructed defecation is a common subtype of constipation that may not be responsive to treatment with laxatives and dietary fibre. Failure of the pelvic floor and anal muscles to relax during straining (pelvic floor dyssynergia) seems to be the commonest cause of obstructed defecation. Biofeedback to teach patients to inhibit this paradoxical behaviour has been proposed as an effective treatment. Biofeedback is reported to benefit ware than half of patients with evidence of pelvic floor dyssynergia, but mechanisms of action are still unclear and controlled studies are lacking.