Anorectal manometry in healthy elderly subjects.

Sigmoidal, rectal, and anal functions were studied in ten healthy elderly women and ten healthy young women using a motility probe with three intraluminal transducers. No difference (P greater than 0.05) was found between elderly and young women in measurements of anal length, anal resting tone, anal squeeze pressure, anal pullthrough pressures at rest, and voluntary squeeze. Sigmoidal and rectal distention was produced by injecting air into balloons placed 16-17 cm and 6-7 cm above the anal verge, respectively. Measured values of anal responses to sigmoidal and rectal distention, and sensation and elasticity of the sigmoidal and rectal walls, were also not different (P greater than 0.05) between the two groups. These findings suggest that age does not affect sigmoidal, rectal, and anal functions.