Continence and reflex pressure profile after surgery to correct the imperforate anus.

To clarify the cause of constipation which follows surgery for the supralevator type of disorder associated with the imperforate anus, rectal compliance, percentage maximum static anorectal pressure, and reflex profile were measured by anorectal manometry in 108 normal controls and 42 patients. Patients with constipation had a low percentage anorectal pressure (50%), high rectal compliance, associated with megarectum, and defecation of the staining type with constipation due to a reaction in anorectal motility.