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Fistula-in-ano

A manometric study

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

The functional outcome of fistula surgery can be quantitated by anal manometry. A closed, water-filled microballoon (0.5×1.0 cm) system was used to measure resting anal pressure and maximal squeeze pressure in 47 patients with anal fistulas at St. Mark's Hospital. After treatment of intersphincteric fistulas, there was a significant reduction in resting pressure in the distal 2 cm. In treated transphincteric fistulas and suprasphincteric fistulas, anal pressure was reduced in the distal 3 cm. A significant lower pressure was measured in patients having the external sphincter divided, compared with those having the muscle preserved. Disturbance of continence was related to abnormally low resting pressure in six patients. This study supports attempts at sphincter preservation in fistula surgery.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. St. Mark's Hospital, London, England

    Paul Belliveau M.D., F.R.C.S. (C), James P. S. Thomson M.S., F.R.C.S. & Alan G. Parks M.D., M.Ch., M.R.C.P., F.R.C.S.

Authors
  1. Paul Belliveau M.D., F.R.C.S. (C)
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  2. James P. S. Thomson M.S., F.R.C.S.
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  3. Alan G. Parks M.D., M.Ch., M.R.C.P., F.R.C.S.
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Additional information

Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, San Francisco, California, May 2 to 6, 1982.

Supported by the St-Mark's Research Foundation and the R.S. McLaughlin Foundation (Canada).

Since the writing of this article, Sir Alan Parks has passed away.

Address reprint requests to Mr. Thomson: St. Mark's Hospital, City Road, London, England, EC1V 2PS.

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Belliveau, P., Thomson, J.P.S. & Parks, A.G. Fistula-in-ano. Dis Colon Rectum 26, 152–154 (1983). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02560157

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02560157

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