Pre-operative manometry of the blind rectal pouch to predict post-operative potential for continence in anorectal malformation.

AIM: Despite technical advances in the surgical repair of anorectal malformation, many children suffer post-operative faecal incontinence. There are many ways to assess postoperative continence in these patients but there is no manometry-based method to assess and make predictions pre-operatively. In this pilot study an attempt was made to correlate the pre- and postoperative manometry and electromyography findings in order to use the pre-operative findings to predict the postoperative potential for continence. METHODS: Ten patients aged 12 to 54 months were subjected to pre-posterior sagittal anorectoplasty manometry by introducing the balloon catheter probe through the distal colostomy into the blind rectal pouch. Electromyography activity in the striated muscle complex was also studied by placing electromyography needles in the midline in the anal dimple. A second study was repeated after posterior sagittal anorectoplasty (PSARP), the probe was introduced into the rectum via the neo-anus and the electromyography needles were placed on either side of the neo-anus. A third study was done, similar to the second study, after colostomy closure along with Kelly's scoring. Results of the three studies were compared. RESULTS: Pre-posterior sagittal anorectoplasty rectal pouch pressures were in the range of 18.3-93.3 cm H2O and electromyographic activity was between 43.6 and 383.0 microv. Post-posterior sagittal anorectoplasty studies showed anal canal pressure in a similar range of 16.0-95.5 cm H2O and electromyographic activity between 57.0-340.7 microv. The post-colostomy closure anal canal pressures ranged from 22.7 to 99.1 cm H2O and electromyographic activity ranged from 65.7 to 335.7 microv. The Kelly's score ranged from 1-6. CONCLUSION: Since, the pre-and postoperative manometry findings are quite similar and they correlate well with the surgical outcome, it may be possible to predict such an outcome before PSARP. Also, the pressure profiles and EMG activity in post-operative assessments suggest intact neural pathways despite blind pouch mobilisation.

Manometric evaluation of postoperative patients with anorectal anomalies.

AIM: To evaluate the outcome of surgical treatment in patients with anorectal malformations and to correlate the clinical, manometric and electromyographic studies in assessment of postoperative continence in these patients. METHODS: Forty-one patients operated on for anorectal malformations were evaluated retrospectively. These included 13 patients with low anomalies, 24 with high anomalies, and 4 with congenital pouch colon. Functional results after surgical correction were assessed on clinical basis using the Kelley's scoring system and by anorectal manometry. In addition, the electrical activity of contraction of the external sphincter muscle was studied using electromyography. RESULTS: There was direct correlation between anal canal pressures and Kelley's score in patients with both high and low anomalies; Kelley's score of 6, 5, 4, 3 and less had pressures ranging between 60-75, 45-59, 30-44, 15-29 and less than 15 cm H2O, respectively. However, the electromyographic activity did not correlate well with Kelley's score. CONCLUSIONS: Anorectal manometry correlates well with Kelley's scoring system and may be a more objective method of analyzing the results of surgery. Poor correlation between Kelley's score and electromyography may be a reflection of poor compliance with instructions to voluntarily contract the muscles of continence.

Neurogenic bladder: urodynamic and surgical aspects.

Children with spina bifida often have vesico-urethral dysfunction manifesting either as upper urinary tract deterioration or voiding dysfunction, chiefly incontinence. Surgery of the back and presence of or increase in hydrocephalus may contribute to neuro-urologic worsening; secondary cord tethering and syrinx or hydromyelia may be additional factors coming into play later in life. Urodynamic assessment using simple modalities like uroflowmetry, external sphincter EMG, residual urine volume and cystometry provide data useful to classify patients according to detrusor and sphincter activity. Besides diagnosis, urodynamic studies are useful in guiding therapy of children with vesico-urethral dysfunction, and for their follow-up to detect sub-clinical deterioration. They also help to prognosticate risk of upper tract deterioration and the possible success of measures to contain incontinence. Urodynamic data in thirty one patients with spinal dysraphism who presented to us with urologic symptoms were analysed. Twenty-three children had hyper-reflexic bladders while in the other 8 the bladder was areflexic. 13 children showed upper tract dilatation. The leak point volume was significantly lower in this group of patients compared to those who did not show upper tract dilatation. Our results are comparable to earlier similar studies.