Rectal manometry, computed tomography, and functional results of anal atresia surgery

Children with anal atresia often have compromised function. This is especially common with the anatomic "high lesion." Twenty-five patients have been studied using clinical evaluation, computed tomography (CT), and manometry to make an objective evaluation. The patients were an average of 9.6 years old; the male-to-female ratio was 3:2. Thirty-three percent had acceptable bowel function as defined by a continence score of 1 or 2. Only two (11%) had an abnormal sacrum. The mean rectal pressure was 20 cm H₂O and 5 patients (23%) had a normal rectal relaxation reflex. Thirty percent had CT scans that demonstrated an intact external sphincter and puborectalis. In comparing the objective criteria and clinical results no technique could predict continence. CT demonstrated no significant group (P=.046 to .659) and manometry demonstrated no significant group (P=.082 to .752). We found no objective criteria that could evaluate the patient's clinical result or dictate therapy.