At Colorectal Clinic Of Tampa Bay, we specialize in treating all of your colorectal needs, but did you know that we also service anorectal issues?
Anorectal issues include things like diarrhea, hemorrhoids, abscesses, fistula, fissures, anal itching, warts and rectal prolapse. In short, anorectal disorders are disorders that occur at the junction of the anal canal and the rectum (whereas colorectal disorders are disorders occurring in the junction of the colon and the rectum).
Disorders such as constipation, anal incontinence, and Hirschsprung’s disease are also anorectal disorders, and they are all diagnosed through the same testing method: an anorectal manometry.
What Is Anorectal Manometry?
An anorectal manometry is a test designated to examine how well the rectum and internal anal sphincter are working. In order to determine this, the exam measures the strength of the muscles in the anus and their contractability, or their ability to open and close.
The rectum and the internal anal sphincter are the endpoints of the digestive system; the rectum acts as a temporary storage area for feces and connects to the anus. When this area becomes full, it is time for the body to pass the stool and, typically, the internal anal sphincter will relax to let it through. People with chronic constipation, anal incontinence, or Hirschsprung’s disease oftentimes suffer from a poorly-functioning internal anal sphincter.
How Does An Anorectal Manometry Work?
An anorectal manometry test essentially tests your anal sphincter’s ability to contract and squeeze. It does this by inflating a balloon-like ball within the rectum, causing the rectum to distend, and the anus sphincter to contract and squeeze.
For the anorectal manometry test, a small catheter (tube) is inserted into the anus, past the anal sphincter, and into the rectum. There the tip of the catheter is inflated, and on the other end of the tube a machine will record the contractions and relaxations of the rectum and anal sphincter.
What To Expect From An Anorectal Manometry Test?
An anorectal manometry measures the presence or absence of the rectosphincteric reflex, which is what indicates the anal sphincter’s ability to contract and relax. If the anal sphincter fails to relax, then the person is suffering from chronic constipation; if it fails to contract, then the person is likely suffering from anal incontinence or Hirschsprung’s Disease.
This test is important because while the symptoms (not being able to pass or hold stool) may seem obvious enough, they are often assumed to be temporary or due to some circumstantial factor. Knowing whether they are actually caused by a failure in the anal sphincter or the absence of the rectospincteric reflex allows for a treatment plan that will actually help manage or solve the problem/
More Information
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of constipation, anal incontinence, or have a newborn with the symptoms of Hirschsprung’s disease, please do not hesitate to give us a call and book an appointment with one of our colorectal specialists.