Long term results of anorectal myectomy for chronic constipation.

Early evaluation of anorectal myectomy in this unit suggested that it might provide clinical benefit to patients with outlet obstruction. Long term results of anorectal myectomy are now available in 63 patients operated on between February 1984 and February 1988 with a median follow-up of 30 months. Spontaneous rectal evacuation without the need for laxatives was recorded in only 11 patients (17 per cent), while 44 (70 per cent) achieved no functional improvement. Mild incontinence developed in 6 patients (10 per cent). Results were independent of preoperative colonic transit or histological evidence of aganglionosis.