Reduction of transverse rectal diameter and its effect on bladder dynamics in children with spinal dysraphism

Introduction To examine the reduction of transverse rectal diameter and its effect on bladder dynamics in children with spinal dysraphism. Methods We prospectively evaluated 61 consecutive children with spinal dysraphism, 25 (41%) boys and 36 (59%) girls, aged 4 to 16 years; mean age 9.3 ± 3.8 years, who received bowel management. All children underwent echosonographic measurement of transverse rectal diameter before and after starting bowel management. Also, all the patients had undergone urodynamic studies before and after starting bowel management, with no changes in their urological treatment. Results Bowel management caused an decrease in transverse rectal diameter by 56 ± 7.2% (p < 0.001). In addition, a decrease was observed for maximal detrusor pressure by 27.8 ± 7.8% (p < 0.001), leak point pressure by 37.2 ± 4.4% (p < 0.001), and PVR by 36.7 ± 8.0 (p < 0.001). Maximum bladder capacity was significantly increased after bowel management in both non-adjusted (36.4 ± 14.8%; p < 0.001) and adjusted analysis for age (39.4 ± 14.3%, p < 0.001). Detrusor compliance was also increased by 89.2 ± 24.8% (p < 0.001). Female gender and % change of maximal detrusor pressure were significant predictors of transversal rectal diameter change in univariate as well as in multivariate analysis (OR = 10.548, 95% CI 2.309–48.180; p = 0.002 and OR = 1.121, 95% CI 1.009–1.245; p = 0.034). Conclusions Decrease in transverse rectal diameter may be useful for bladder function and urodynamic findings in children with spinal dysraphism. Therefore, decrease in transverse rectal diameter should be a supplement to standard urotherapy.