EXAMINATION OF ANORECTAL MOTILITY

Constipation and incontinence frequently lead to medical consultation. A careful history and a complete physical examination of both anus an d rectum are required before performing anorectal motility tests, the most important of which are anorectal manometry coupled with electromy ography of the external anal sphincter and defecography. The pathophys iologic origin of these symptoms can then be understood. This has led to the development of new therapies such as bio-feedback or corrective surgery.