Assessment of Anatomic, Physiologic and Biomechanical Characteristics of the Anal Canal and Pelvic Floor. An Observational Pilot Study

With the project Smart Muscle for Incontinence Treatment (SMIT) a multidisciplinary consortium consisting of representatives ranging from clinical medicine via microelectronics towards biomaterial science aims to develop a novel implant to treat faecal incontinence. The aim of this campaign includes development of implantable prototype devices acting as artificial continence muscles using low-voltage electrically activated polymers (EAPs) controlled by implemented pressure sensors and the patient.

Subsequently, the knowledge of the anatomical and biomechanical properties of the anal sphincter complex are of cardinal importance. Most of the existing data on anatomy and physiology results is based on old studies and almost no data on biomechanical properties are available. However, new technologies or even merging data from different examination methods might provide new information in this field.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Fecal Incontinence
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging); Other: US (ultra sound); Other: FLIP (functional luminal imaging probe); Other: HRAM (high resolution anal manometry)

Detailed Description

Background

Fecal incontinence (FI) is affecting self-confidence and can lead to social isolation and even loss of employment Often conservative treatment as the first option is ineffective and surgical interventions follow conservative are necessary.

Small defects of the anal sphincter muscles might be treated with sphincter repair and sacral neuromodulation (SNM) However, patients rarely become fully continent or short-term results deteriorate in the long term [1]. Those patients and patients with large defects are candidates for a neosphincter procedure (artificial bowel sphincter or graciloplasty). However, the success rate of these methods is limited and the explantation rate is high. A permanent colostomy associated with massive psychosocial impairment remains as ultimate treatment option With the project Smart Muscle for Incontinence Treatment (SMIT) a multidisciplinary consortium consisting of representatives ranging from clinical medicine via microelectronics towards biomaterial science aims to develop a novel implant to treat faecal incontinence. The aim of this campaign includes development of implantable prototype devices acting as artificial continence muscles using low-voltage electrically activated polymers (EAPs) controlled by implemented pressure sensors and the patient.

Subsequently, the knowledge of the anatomical and biomechanical properties of the anal sphincter complex are of cardinal importance. Most of the existing data on anatomy and physiology results is based on old studies and almost no data on biomechanical properties are available. However, new technologies or even merging data from different examination methods might provide new information in this field.

Accurate imaging data on the pelvic floor region is crucial for the development of a new, implantable device for restoration of fecal continence. Optimal size (inner, outer diameter, length) and geometrical shape (cylinder, cone, torus) adapted to different functional states (rest, squeezing, defecation) will improve function and prevent erosion and consequent infection of such a prosthesis.

With this study, the investigators aim to correlate three-dimensional endoanal ultrasonographic images with MRI images. The combination of different imaging techniques has been demonstrated to eliminate individual drawbacks of the examination methods and therefore would allow a precise description of the tissue [2]. The registered data with their complementary information would permit the distinct segmentation and three-dimensional presentations of the anatomical structures in the pelvic area. This information has a great potential to facilitate diagnostics and surgical planning in this region.

High-resolution anal manometry (HRAM) provides intra-anal pressure during rest or maximum pressure with high spatial and time resolution.

However Biomechanical properties of the anal canal as elasticity or stiffness (compliance or flexibility) of the tissue representing important parameters for a continence organ are not routinely evaluated in daily clinical practice. Functional Lumen Imaging Probe (FLIP) allows the measurement of a cross sectional area (CSA) with respect to applied luminal pressure, respectively. FLIP has the potential to be useful in order to assess the biomechanical properties of the sphincter region. Such information potentially gives new insights in physiology and pathophysiology of the continence process.

With this pilot study, the investigators aim to acquire anatomical and biomechanical data using established (manometry) and novel technologies (merging endoanal ultrasound and MRI data) in 20 healthy probands (10 male, 10 female).

Objective

Primary objective is to collect anatomical, physiological and biomechanical characteristics of the continence organ (sphincters and pelvic floor) in order to specify properties of a new implant for the treatment of faecal incontinence.

Secondary objectives are: test feasibility of FLIP in measuring the biomechanical properties of the anal canal and test feasibility of merging 3D US data and MR images.

Further this preliminary data will be used to plan an observational study comparing healthy probands and patients with incontinence.

Methods

For the assessment of the morphology ultra sound and MRI will be used, whereas FLIP (functional luminance imaging probe) and HRAM (high resolution anal manometry) are the modality of choice to investigate the biomechanical properties of the sphincter complex.

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Actual): 20

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Switzerland
  • Bern, Switzerland, 3010
    • Universitätsklinik für Viszerale Chirurgie und Medizin Bauchzentrum Bern (Inselspital Bern)

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 60 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: All

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants will be recruited by flyers and advertisement in internet.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Informed Consent as documented by signature
• Absence of ano-rectal or pelvic floor symptoms (patient history, Wexner score and Longo's obstructed defecation syndrome (ODS) score =0. Appendix Constipation and Faecal Incontinence Score form)
• MRI safety (no metallic implants. Appendix MRI safety form)
• Normal weighted (20<BMI<30)
• Age ≥ 60 years

Exclusion Criteria

• Other clinically significant concomitant disease states (e.g., renal failure, hepatic dysfunction, cardiovascular disease, etc.)
• Known or suspected non-compliance, drug or alcohol abuse
• Inability to follow the procedures of the study, e.g. due to language problems, psychological disorders, dementia, etc. of the participant
• age (<18 years old)
• history of complicated child delivery
• previous anorectal surgery

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Observational Models: Case-Only
• Time Perspectives: Cross-Sectional

Number of groups / cohorts

1

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
All study participants; Healthy (m/f), normal weighted	Other: MRI (magnetic resonance imaging); Assessment of the sphincter morphology; Other: US (ultra sound); Assessment of the sphincter morphology; Other: FLIP (functional luminal imaging probe); Assessment of the biomechanical properties of the sphincter region; Other: HRAM (high resolution anal manometry); Assessment of the biomechanical properties of the sphincter region

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Sphincter morphology	Functional sphincter variables are: anal canal length, resting, squeeze, and relaxation pressures, squeeze time, anal pressure in response to coughing, RAIR (percentage of anal relaxation), rectal volume filling to first sensation, urge and maximal tolerable volume, and distension of the anal canal in response to different filling volumes. Anatomical parameters are: distinction between internal and external sphincter (yes/no), sphincter lengths, sphincter thickness, and sphincter volumes.	At baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Test feasibility of FLIP in measuring the biomechanical properties of the anal canal	Test the ability of FLIP in order to assess the biomechanical properties of the human anal sphincter complex in sufficient quality	At baseline
Test feasibility of merging 3D US data and MR images	Test feasibility of merging 3D US data and 3D MR images (full body MR and endoanal coil MR) in order to get a more precise anatomical image at once	At baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University Hospital Inselspital, Berne
• Collaborators: University of Bern; University of Basel; Nano-Tera.ch, Lausanne; Spitäler Schaffhausen
• Investigators: Study Director: Bert Müller, Prof. Dr., Biomaterials Science Center (BMC) University of Basel c/o University Hospital Basel 4031 Basel

Publications and helpful links

Helpful Links

• Related Info

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: March 1, 2015
• Primary Completion (Actual): November 1, 2015
• Study Completion (Actual): November 1, 2015

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: October 1, 2014
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: October 7, 2014
• First Posted (Estimate): October 13, 2014

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): November 24, 2015
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: November 23, 2015
• Last Verified: November 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Digestive System Diseases; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Intestinal Diseases; Rectal Diseases; Fecal Incontinence; Physiological Effects of Drugs; Neurotransmitter Agents; Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action; Central Nervous System Depressants; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; Excitatory Amino Acid Agents; Hypnotics and Sedatives; GABA Modulators; GABA Agents; Anticonvulsants; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inducers; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A Inducers; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2B6 Inducers; Phenobarbital
• Other Study ID Numbers: KEK-BE: 048/2014