Clinical significance and application of anorectal physiology

During the last decade, interest in anorectal disorders has increased conti nuously. This review presents the results of Hungarian authors' contributio ns to a better understanding of anorectal physiology over the last 10 years . It has been demonstrated that the surgical technique of pelvic floor reco nstruction can be refined and surgical complication rates reduced through t he analysis of anal basal pressure components and exploration of internal a nal sphincter function. Objective assessment of anal continence (distinguis hing continent from incontinent patients) is a consistent problem in clinic al practice. The balloon-retaining test, a special application of manometry , facilitates evaluation of anorectal function in incontinent patients. Con stipation is an extremely common symptom. Surgical treatment of these ailme nts should not be regarded as a first-choice therapy. Disordered defecation due to anismus can be identified by defecometry, and can eventually be tre ated by biofeedback training. The data presented here demonstrate the enorm ous impact of sophisticated diagnostic techniques on the therapeutic option s in treatment of anorectal diseases.