Clinical significance and application of anorectal physiology

During the last decade, interest in anorectal disorders has increased continuously. This review presents the results of Hungarian authors' contributions to a better understanding of anorectal physiology over the last 10 years. It has been demonstrated that the surgical technique of pelvic floor reconstruction can be refined and surgical complication rates reduced through the analysis of anal basal pressure components and exploration of internal anal sphincter function. Objective assessment of anal continence (distinguishing continent from incontinent patients) is a consistent problem in clinical practice. The balloon-retaining test, a special application of manometry, facilitates evaluation of anorectal function in incontinent patients. Constipation is an extremely common symptom. Surgical treatment of these ailments should not be regarded as a first-choice therapy. Disordered defecation due to anismus can be identified by defecometry, and can eventually be treated by biofeedback training. The data presented here demonstrate the enormous impact of sophisticated diagnostic techniques on the therapeutic options in treatment of anorectal diseases.