Abstract
The external anal sphincter and puborectalis muscle were studied in seven incontinent children using concentric needle electromyography (EMG) with low-frequency attenuation to examine individual motor unit potentials. All the children had neurogenic damage confined to one or the other muscle. In addition, pudendal nerve stimulation in two constipated children with no evidence of neuropathy evoked responses in the external sphincter only, and not in puborectalis. This study provides further evidence that these two muscles have different innervation and that differential neurogenic damage may be important in incontinence. It is therefore essential to examine both muscles when investigating incontinent children.
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The protocols for these investigations were approved by the Standing Committee on Ethical Practive of The Hospital for Sick Children.
Offprint requests to: S. G. Boyd
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Boyd, S.G., Kiely, E.M. & Springall, R.G. Differential neurogenic damage to the muscles of the pelvic floor in children with faecal incontinence. Pediatr Surg Int 4, 43–46 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173083
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00173083