Anorectal continence and bladder function

The effect of sacral resection up to S-2 has been investigated in two patients with “chordomas”, surgical division of the spinal roots was unilateral and bilateral, respectively. Anal manometry, electromyography of the sphincters, and the ascertaining of tactile, thermic, and painful stimuli perception in the perineum and anal canal were executed to determine the effects of denervation on anorectal continence. Vesical function was tested by vesical manometry. Results differ strongly between the two patients: the first, with unilateral loss of S-2, has perfect anorectal continence. The second, with bilateral loss of S-2, is incontinent and unable to discriminate rectal contents. It is sufficient to retain only one S-2 root for the maintenance of physiologic continence, including distinction between different types of bowel contents (gaseous or solid) passing through the anal canal. The same is true concerning bladder function. Data concerning this work were presented at the International Symposium on Gastroenterology, Bologna, Italy, April 7, 1983. This work was done at the Surgical Pathology Institute, School of Medicine, University of Florence, Italy, directed by Professor Giovanni Allegra, M.D.