[What is the value of anorectal manometry today?]

Abstract

Since it was first introduced into clinical investigations in 1960 by M. Schuster, anorectal electromanometry has become one of the most-important methods to evaluate anorectal continence. Electromanometry now is a wide-spread, safe and simple screening method to analyze chronic constipation and to control the results of proctologic surgery. Its most important parameters are the anorectal pressure profile, the squeezing pressure profile, the adaptation reaction, the internal sphincter relaxation, and the rectal sphincteric reflex to the external anal sphincter. Wherever proctology is performed, electromanometry and electromyography of the external sphincter muscle should be done.