Abstract
Thirteen patients with high or intermediate types of imperforate anus have been followed postoperatively by anorectal manometry after surgical correction. Since it is our belief that an internal sphincter anlage is present in the fistula, this was preserved and transplanted to the position of the neoanus. In cases with a blind end and no fistula, thickening of the circular smooth muscle layer was sought and transposed in the same way. Ten of 13 patients had a positive rectoanal inhibition reflex and normal anal pressure, indicating the presence of an internal sphincter. The amplitudes of the relaxations were not different from those of healthy children of the same ages. The children in this study were too young for proper clinical evaluation, but internal sphincter function may be an important factor for their future continence.
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Frenckner, B., Husberg, B. Internal anal sphincter function after correction of imperforate anus. Pediatr Surg Int 6, 202–206 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176069
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00176069