Analysis of anal incontinence.

The diagnosis of disturbancies of continence can be made primarily by the clinical history and digital examination of the rectum. Electromanometry helps to judge the degree of continence. Additional information is supplied by electromyography and radiology. Continence depends at least on five factors: - The passive forces of continence - The motor activity of the sphincters - The sensibility of skin, mucosa, and sphincters - Peristaltic activity of the intestine and especially of the rectum - The central nervous passways: Analysis of these five factors is important to determine treatment with drugs or operative correction.