TOTAL ANORECTAL RECONSTRUCTION RESULTS IN COMPLETE ANORECTAL SENSORY LOSS

Six patients underwent objective measurement of anorectal sensory func tion following abdominoperineal excision of the rectum and total anore ctal reconstruction. No patient perceived neorectal distension as a de sire to defaecate or as a feeling of flatus. Anal mucosal sensation wa s preserved in two patients in whom some anal mucosa was retained. The se sensory deficiencies may result in faecal retention and incontinenc e in patients undergoing reconstructive surgery. The loss of rectal se nsation suggests that the prime sensors of rectal filling may lie with in the rectum itself.