Anorectal pressure and rectal compliance after low anterior resection.

Measurements of the resting pressure profile of the anorectum, recto-anal reflex and of rectal compliance (reservoir function of the rectum) were made in 24 normal subjects and 16 patients who had undergone low anterior resection for cancer of the sigmoid colon or upper half of the rectum. In the early postoperative period (< 6 month) frequent bowel movements and occasional soiling were experienced by most patients. Fifteen of 16 such patients had regular bowel movements and no soiling after six months. The present studies disclosed that there was a close correlation between control of bowel movements and rectal compliance, but not between the resting pressure profile of the anorectum or the recto-anal reflex and control of bowel movements after low anterior resection.