Motility of the anorectum after the Soave-Denda operation

A total of 82 patients were assessed by rectal manometry after operation for Hirschsprung's disease according to the Soave-Denda technique. A positive rectoanal reflex was obtained in 32 cases (39%), whereas the remaining 50 cases (61%) did not exhibit a rectoanal reflex. Among the children examined, 72% showed normal rhythmic activity of the anorectum. Anorectal function tended to increase over the years, 90% having good continence 10 years or more after operation. Patients who encountered postoperative complications had poor continence since such complications may have damaged the levator and sphincter muscles.