Treatment for Levator Ani Syndrome
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Biofeedback is effective treatment for levator ani syndrome.
Heah SM, Ho YH, Tan M, Leong AF
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Singapore General Hospital.
PURPOSE: The effects of biofeedback (BF) on pain relief and anorectal
physiology in patients with levator ani syndrome (LAS) were prospectively
studied. METHOD: Sixteen consecutive patients (9 men, 7 women; mean age, 50.1
(range, 39-66) years) with LAS were treated with BF from July 1993 to October
1995. Mean duration of pain was 32.5 (standard error of the mean, 6.7) months.
All underwent a full course of BF using a manometric balloon technique. Mean
follow-up was 12.8 (standard error of the mean, 2.6) months. Pain score and
anorectal physiology tests were administered prospectively by an independent
observer before and after BF. RESULTS: After BF, the pain score was
significantly improved (before BF: median, 8 (range, 6-10); after BF: median, 2
(range, 1-4); P < 0.02). Analgesic requirements were also significantly reduced
(all 16 patients needed nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) before BF;
only two patients needed NSAID after BF; P < 0.03). There were no significant
changes to the anorectal physiology parameters after BF. To date, there have
been no side effects or regressions. CONCLUSION: Although BF had a negligible
effect on anorectal physiologic measurements in LAS, it was effective in pain
relief, with no side effects.
PMID: 9075755, UI: 97230177
Dis Colon Rectum 1985 Jun
Levator syndrome. A treatment that works.
Nicosia JF, Abcarian H
Forty-five patients with levator syndrome were treated by high voltage
electrogalvanic stimulation of the levator ani by means of an intra-anal probe.
Voltage varied from 150 to 400 volts, depending on patient tolerance. Negative
electrodes and 80 cycles per second were used for 20 minutes every other day.
An average of five treatments was needed for complete pain relief. Excellent
results (total pain relief) were obtained in 36 patients, good results in five,
fair results in two, and poor results (no relief) in two. High voltage
electrogalvanic stimulation is the treatment of choice for levator syndrome
because it can be standardized, is well tolerated, and is over 90 percent
effective.
PMID: 3874049, UI: 85229880