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Anorectal manometry in children with chronic functional intestinal constipation refractory to treatment

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate anorectal manometry results in children with chronic functional intestinal constipation refractory to conventional treatment regarding mean anal sphincter resting pressure, presence of recto-anal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), expulsion capability of the intra-rectal balloon and behavior during the defecation maneuver. METHODS: Retrospective study by review of medical records from January 2003 to June 2007 with 31 patients who presented chronic functional constipation refractory to standard treatment. Anorectal manometry was performed by a four-channel catheter (MPX 816 processor and Proctomaster 5.0 software, Dynamed). RESULTS: Among the 31 studied children, 24 (77%) were male. The mean age was 8.9±2.6 years. The mean maximal squeeze pressure of the anal sphincter was 82±38 mmHg. Among the patients, 15 (48%) had normotonic anal sphincter and 16 (52%) hypertonic anal sphincter. RAIR was present in all patients. Intra-rectal balloon expulsion was positive in 12/31 patients, being 4/12 with normotonic sphincter and 8/12 with hypertonic sphincter (p=0.22). Anism was detected in 6/15 patients with normotonic sphincter (40%) and in 4/16 patients with hypertonic sphincter (25%) (p=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: There was a predominance of normotonic anal sphincter in children with refractory chronic functional constipation. More than 1/3 of the patients were able to expulse the balloon during the defecation test, regardless of anal sphincter resting pressure, and about half of them presented anism not related to the anal sphincter tonus. The anorectal manometry is appropriate to study physiology and evacuatory dynamic, and can be useful to guide the treatment.

constipation; manometry; child


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