Ano-retal motility in patients with chronic functional constipation

Objective To study the rectoanal function in patients with chronic functional constipation. Methods The rectoanal manometry was done in 35 patients with chronic functional constipation and 11 normal subjects. Results (1) The rectal resting pressure, the resting pressure and the maximum squeeze pressure of the anal sphincter were not different between the patients with chronic functional constipation and normal subjects (P 0.05). (2) The length of high pressure zone in patients with chronic functional constipation was significantly higher than in normal subjects (P 0.0005). (3) The rectal sensitivity, maximum tolerance and the rectal capacity causing rectoanal inhibitory reflex in patients with chronic functional constipation were significantly higher than in normal subjects (P 0.05); The rectal compliance and anal sphincter relaxation rate were significantly lower than normal subjects (P 0.05). (4) In chronic functional constipation, there were disorders of anal sphincter relaxation reflex, especially anal extra-sphincter. Conclusions Patients with chronic functional constipation have dysfunction of rectoanal dynamics, which play important roles in the chronic functional constipation pathogenesis.