FUNCTIONAL DEFECATION DISORDER
Obstructive Defecation Syndrome (ODS)
A condition characterised by difficulty in emptying the rectum despite repeated straining, caused by pelvic floor dysfunction, rectocele, or internal rectal prolapse. Dr. Samhitha Reddy offers ODS treatment.
ABOUT THIS CONDITION
What is Obstructive Defecation Syndrome (ODS)?
Obstructive Defecation Syndrome (ODS) is a functional and/or structural disorder in which patients experience difficulty, straining, and a persistent sensation of incomplete evacuation despite repeated attempts, without a true blockage. Common causes include pelvic floor muscle dysfunction (paradoxical puborectalis contraction), rectocele (posterior vaginal wall prolapse), and internal rectal intussusception. ODS treatment begins with thorough investigation, defecography and anorectal manometry. Dr. Samhitha Reddy prioritises pelvic floor physiotherapy and biofeedback as first-line treatment. Surgical options (STARR, Ventral Rectopexy, Rectocele Repair) are offered for carefully selected patients with a confirmed structural cause.
SIGNS TO WATCH
Common Symptoms
Symptoms that need attention
WHY IT HAPPENS
Causes & Risk Factors
- Paradoxical puborectalis contraction, pelvic floor muscle fails to relax during defecation
- Rectocele, bulging of the posterior vaginal wall into the anterior rectal wall
- Internal rectal intussusception, the rectum telescopes on itself
- Enterocele, small bowel prolapse into the rectovaginal space
- Chronic constipation and long-term straining
- Previous pelvic surgery altering pelvic floor anatomy
CLINICAL DETAILS
KeyFacts
Defecography maps structural causes (rectocele, intussusception). Manometry assesses pelvic floor function
60-80% improvement in ODS from pelvic floor muscle dysfunction, first-line treatment
Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection, removes redundant rectal tissue. Selected structural ODS cases
For ODS caused by internal rectal intussusception, laparoscopic anterior fixation
For ODS caused by a significant posterior rectocele, transanal or transvaginal repair
All ODS procedures available at Lux Hospitals, Hyderabad
HOW WE TREAT IT
Treatment Approach
Conservative to Surgical, Individualised ODS Treatment
ODS treatment is always individualised. Biofeedback and pelvic floor physiotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment, resolving the majority of functional ODS cases. When structural causes are confirmed (significant rectocele, internal intussusception), STARR Procedure, Ventral Rectopexy, or Rectocele Repair is offered as a targeted surgical solution.
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Diagnostic Workup
Defecography (evacuation proctography) maps structural causes such as rectocele, intussusception, and enterocele. Anorectal manometry with balloon expulsion test identifies pelvic floor muscle dysfunction.
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Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy & Biofeedback
The primary treatment for functional ODS, specialist biofeedback retrains the puborectalis and other pelvic floor muscles to relax correctly during defecation, eliminating the physiological obstruction.
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STARR Procedure (Selected Structural ODS)
When ODS is due to significant internal intussusception or recto-rectal intussusception unresponsive to biofeedback, STARR removes the redundant tissue using circular staplers, providing structural correction.
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Ventral Rectopexy / Rectocele Repair
Ventral Rectopexy fixes the anterior rectum for internal prolapse-related ODS. Rectocele Repair (transanal or transvaginal) corrects a significant posterior rectocele, chosen based on defecographic findings.
AVAILABLE TREATMENTS
Treatment Options
Ventral Rectopexy
A nerve-sparing anterior approach where a mesh is used to support and fix the rectum to the sacrum, commonly performed for rectal prolapse or obstructive defecation.
STARR Procedure
Stapled Transanal Rectal Resection is a procedure that removes redundant rectal tissue using a circular stapling device to improve obstructed defecation.
Rectocele Repair
A surgical procedure to correct the herniation of the rectal wall into the vaginal wall by reinforcing or reconstructing the rectovaginal septum.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Frequently Asked
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