Anorectal continence and constipation Kaveer Chatoorgoon, Alberto Peña, Marc A Levitt

A1 C Approximately 25% of patients with anorectal malformations will have a ‘high’-enough malformation that continence mechanisms (anal canal, sphincters, motility) are congenitally underdeveloped or absent. Despite optimal anatomical reconstruction, these patients will be faecally incontinent. Of the remaining 75%, most can achieve good continence, though some will have occasional soiling, especially if they have diarrhoea. Many will require laxatives to treat constipation.