A prospective study of the effect of haemorrhoidectomy on sphincter function and faecal continence

✍ Scribed by M. G. Read; N. W. Read; W. G. Haynes; T. C. Donnelly; A. G. Johnson

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1982
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 415 KB
• Volume: 69
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0007-1323
• DOI: 10.1002/bjs.1800690713

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The effect of haemorrhoidectomy on anal sphincter manometry and continence to faeces and rectally infused saline was investigated in 24 unselected patients with third-degree haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoidectomy resulted in the abolition of ultra-slow waves and significant decreases in basal and squeeze pressures, though these were reduced to normal values from abnormally high levels. Pressures remained at normal levels up to a year after surgery. An association was found between mucous soiling following surgery and an abnormally low postoperative squeeze pressure. There was no alteration in the function of the recto-anal inhibitory reflex following surgery. Only two patients developed incontinence to rectally infused saline for the first time following surgery. The addition of four-finger dilatation of the anal canal to the operative procedure did not cause any significant differences in sphincter manometry.