Table 2.
Changes in length and thickness of the musculus puborectalis during straining versus the resting state. Number of patients with dyschesia and controls with a normal straining movement (increase in length, decrease in thickness) versus an abnormal straining movement (paradoxical decrease in length, increase in thickness) or absence of movement during defecation in comparison with the resting state
| Normal (↑) | Abnormal (↓) | No movement | p Value | |
| Length | ||||
| Controls (n=20) | 12 | 5 | 3 | |
| Patients (n=20) | 4 | 15 | 1 | < 0.01 |
| Normal (↓) | Abnormal (↑) | No movement | p Value | |
| Statistical analysis by χ2 test. | ||||
| Thickness | ||||
| Controls (n=20) | 19 | 1 | 0 | |
| Patients (n=20) | 10 | 7 | 3 | < 0.01 |