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Anorectal motility after surgery for spina bifida
Diseases of the Colon and Rectum
|March 1, 1984
Summary
Children with spina bifida (myelocele/meningomyelocele) often have abnormal anorectal motility, leading to fecal incontinence. Motility patterns varied, with most showing decreased resting pressure and some lacking a key reflex.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Gastroenterology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Spina bifida (myelocele/meningomyelocele) can affect anorectal function.
- Understanding anorectal motility is crucial for managing continence in affected children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate anorectal motility in children with spina bifida.
- To correlate manometric findings with fecal incontinence and neurological deficits.
Main Methods:
- Anorectal manometry was performed on 93 children post-spina bifida surgery.
- Results were compared to 80 age- and sex-matched controls.
- Patients were categorized into four manometric pattern groups.
Main Results:
- Patients exhibited significantly decreased and unstable anal canal resting pressure, especially with incontinence.
- The rectoanal inhibitory reflex was linked to fecal incontinence and lower extremity motor disorders.
- Incontinence rates were high across all manometric groups (63-92%), except for infants.
Conclusions:
- Anorectal manometry reveals diverse motility abnormalities in children with spina bifida.
- These abnormalities correlate with fecal incontinence and neurological impairments.
- Manometric patterns offer insights into continence issues in this population.