Functional assessment of the anorectum in faecal incontinence.

The functional ability of the anorectum to maintain continence is best assessed by a provocative assessment of continence to a standard load of rectally infused saline. Faecal incontinence is not caused by one condition. The combination of multiport anorectal manometry, electrophysiology and rectal sensory testing can identify several causes, which logically require different treatments. Only time and carefully conducted trials will establish whether such functional testing will be useful.