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| Aim Squatting and sitting are the most common positions for defecation, however the mechanisms underlying the effects of different positions on defecation is unclear. This study aimed to observe the general defecation status of healthy volunteers, and compare their manometric profiles and sensory volume with gas or liquid in different positions.
Method Ten healthy volunteers with normal bowel and anal function enrolled in the study. A general defecation status form and anorectal manometry was assessed in the squatting, sitting and left lateral position.
Results Coordination between the routine and favorite defecation position affected the subject's assessment of difficulty in defecation. The rectal resting pressure was significantly higher in the squatting position (squatting vs sitting, p=0.072 and squatting vs left lateral, p＜0.001) and the rectal defecation pressure was significantly lower in the left lateral position (left lateral vs squatting, p=0.001 and left lateral vs sitting, p＜0.001). There were no significant differences among the three positions regarding sphincter length, anal resting pressure, maximum voluntary squeeze pressure, anal canal longest contraction time, rectoanal inhibitory reflex present volume and the sensory volume with gas or liquid. The desire to defecate volume (p=0.011) and maximum tolerable volume (p=0.033) were significantly different when the three defecation positions were compared.
Conclusion The general defecation status was verified from one individual to another. The rectal resting pressure was higher, and the desire to defecate sensory volume and maximum tolerable volume were lower in the squatting posture. Therefore squatting is more convenient for defecation. In this paper |
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| Keywords:Defecation position; general defecation status; manometric measurement; sensory volume |
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