Before and after Anorectal Surgery: Which Information Is Needed from the Functional Laboratory?

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Colorectal Surgery
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Anorectal surgery encompasses diverse procedures.
• Anorectal disease diagnosis involves clinical examination and functional tests.
• Increasing incidence of anorectal disorders in aging populations highlights the need for effective diagnostic strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review and summarize the diagnostic value of various tests for anorectal conditions.
• To focus on basic clinical and functional diagnostic tests for pre- and postoperative evaluation.
• To provide insights into assessing postoperative outcomes in anorectal surgery.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive PubMed literature search was conducted.
• Search terms included 'anal incontinence', 'anal and rectal surgery', and 'functional diagnostics'.
• Priority was given to randomized trials, meta-analyses, and guidelines, with no publication year or type restrictions.

Main Results:

• The diagnostic utility of digital rectal examination, anal manometry, and endosonography was evaluated.
• The effectiveness of the water holding procedure, contrast enema, and incontinence scores was summarized.
• Key findings on the diagnostic value of these methods are presented.

Conclusions:

• The article emphasizes basic clinical and functional diagnostic tests for anorectal conditions.
• These tests are readily applicable in both pre- and postoperative settings.
• The focus is on evaluating postoperative outcomes and managing anal incontinence.