[Role of functional investigations in gastrointestinal surgery]

The understanding, complex analysis and extensive knowledge about the physiology of the gastrointestinal tract are bases of functional and reconstructive surgery. We present our routine physiological tests. Several clinical syndromes may be related to motility disorders of the esophagus, stomach, colon and the anal sphincter apparatus. We show how functional tests influence surgery. Preoperative pH monitoring and esophageal manometry are essential in the planning of surgical treatment of GORD. The lower gastrointestinal functional tests help in the treatment of anal incontinence. Screening of the anal sphincter helps in the decision when to close non permanent stomas, and the inspection benefits haemorrhoidectomies on patients with poor anal sphincter status. We are present our initial practice with the functional tests.