title: The anal sphincter force in health and disease.
abstract: The measurement of the strength of the anal sphincters has heretofore involved voluntary cooperation by the patient. In some children one cannot count on the maximum squeeze pressure being generated and in others the child is too young to understand what is required. We have devised an objective method of measuring the anal sphincter force (ASF) and have collected data derived from over 256 children over the course of 24 months. These include patients with Hirschsprung's disease, constipation, postoperative incontinence, spina bifida, and normal children both conscious and anesthetized. The results are presented and the value of the test and its applications are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Engineering, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shandling
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Gilmour
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D000769:Anesthesia, Inhalation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology; D004688:Encopresis / Q000503:physiopathology; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D016136:Spina Bifida Occulta / Q000503:physiopathology