The manometric evaluation of the rectosphincteric reflex in total colonic aganglionosis.

The manometric assessment of rectosphincteric function in 33 patients with histologically proven aganglionosis is reviewed. The age of the patient at first assessment and the presence of total colonic aganglionosis influenced the results obtained. Overall, a 67% accuracy rate was achieved at first assessment. This rate fell to 43% when the test was carried out during the first 7 days of life. Six cases had total colonic aganglionosis. In only a single patient of this group was the first test result positive for aganglionosis. Attention is drawn to this finding.