Abstract
Background
Anorectal manometry is used extensively in the assessment of patients with disorders
of the pelvic floor. The present study investigated the repeatability of anorectal
manometry in healthy volunteers and patients.
Patients and methods
A total of 30 healthy volunteers (15 men and 15 women) and 10 patients with fecal
incontinence (4 men and 6 women) underwent perfusion manometry and volumetry. Intraindividual
variability was evaluated using the intraindividual correlation coefficient (ICC).
Interindividual variability was expressed as the standard deviation from the calculated
mean values.
Results
We found a high intraindividual correlation for the squeezing pressure (ICC 0.75–0.95),
vector volume (ICC 0.88–0.97), and rectal perception (ICC 0.82–0.98). The anal resting
pressure showed moderate repeatability (ICC 0.60–0.72). However, with regard to sphincter
asymmetry, rectal compliance, and the rectoanal inhibitory reflex, a wide range of
variability was found. In the female volunteers, the squeezing pressure and vector
volume were lower than in those in the male volunteers. The anal pressure, vector
volume, thresholds for urgency, and the maximum tolerable volume were lower in the
incontinent patients than in the healthy volunteers.
Conclusions
The squeezing pressure, vector volume, and rectal perception allow a reliable analysis
of anal sphincter function. Sphincter asymmetry, rectal compliance, and the rectoanal
inhibitory reflex were of limited diagnostic value.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: July 01, 2013
Accepted:
June 5,
2013
Received in revised form:
May 31,
2013
Received:
January 30,
2013
Identification
Copyright
© 2013 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
