[Anorectal manometry. Experience of 5 years]

Anorectal manometry is a non invasive, safe and useful procedure for exploring anorectal function in several disease. The anorectal studies made in our service the last five years in children, were reviewed. There were made 234 procedures in patients 21 year old or less 93.25% of the studies could be finished and 72.64% of the patients were from other hospitals or centers. The age average was 5.62 +/- 4.72 years and the main indication was constipation (78.20%). We didn't find any statistical difference in the manometrical findings of the internal anal sphincter between the patients with only constipation, only encopresis, constipation plus encopresis and normal values. The main manometrical diagnostic in the constipated patient without Hirschsprung disease was "Normal Study" even though between 30 and 55% of the studies showed "inspecific motor dysfunction". The patients with anorectal malformations had a main internal and pressure statistically lower (Z = 3.29 p = 0.03) and "Non concluyent Study" percentage higher (Z03.44 p = 0.02) than the constipated ones. The main external anal pressure was not different between groups. In 43 patients the manometrical study showed "Suggestive of Hirschsprung Disease". We recovered the histological reports in 55.88% with aganglionosis in the 91.66%. There were no statistical differences in the other manometrical parameters. Our finding agree with the ones reported in the specialized literature and support the anorectal manometry as an useful tool for exploring the anal sphincter integrity in anorectal malformations.