PREOPERATIVE AND POSTOPERATIVE URODYNAMIC AND ANORECTAL MANOMETRIC FINDINGS IN CHILDREN OPERATED UPON FOR A PRIMARY TETHERED CORD

The aim of the study was to assess the sensitivity of both urodynamics and anorectal manometry in detecting neurological signs in children w ith a primary tethered cord. Between 1989 and 1991, 9 children were op erated upon for untethering of primary tethered cord in Lausanne. Both manometric studies were performed by the same team preoperatively and 6 months after surgery. Gaeltec catheters with micro-tip transducers were used with a standardized method. Preoperative manometric findings were pathological in 4 children without clinical signs of bladder dys function and in 3 without clinical fecal disorders. Postoperatively, b ladder dysfunction regressed in one child and fecal disorders in anoth er. Manometric findings remained nevertheless pathological. The author s held both urodynamics and anorectal manometry as mandatory for preop erative evaluation as well as for the postoperative monitoring of chil dren with primary tethered cord.