ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The laparoscopic antegrade continence enema (LACE) procedure is used for the treatment of faecal incontinence in children with spina bifida. The purpose of this study was to relate the outcome of the LACE procedure to anorectal function, as determined by anorectal manometry. METHOD: Eleven children with spina bifida who had the LACE procedure underwent anorectal manometry (ARM) to document their anorectal function, and its relationship to the level of continence obtained following surgery. RESULTS: There was a consistently high level of functional continence achieved following surgery despite wide variability in the parameters of anorectal manometry. There was no demonstrable correlation between the outcome of the LACE procedure and anorectal function as assessed by manometry. CONCLUSION: Anorectal function as determined by manometry failed to predict outcome after the laparoscopic ACE procedure in children with spina bifida.
