Novel Functional Endoscopy for Visualization of the Anorectal Junction and Anal Canal

The rectum and the anal canal are hosts for many anatomical malformations, functional disorders, and diseases. These are often characterized as functional or organic. Examples are functional constipation, functional fecal incontinence, rectoceles, and anorectal cancers. 1 Tekkis P et al. Essent Surg Pract. 2015; : 948-1030 Google Scholar Various technologies exist for assessing these conditions. Often, manometric technologies are employed for sensory-motor disorders, 2 Scott SM et al. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2020; 22: 1-2 Crossref PubMed Scopus (15) Google Scholar whereas endoscopy is key in anorectal visualization. 3 Valente, MA. Anorectal disease 201;33–50. Google Scholar Despite the huge potential, functional assessment and visualization have, to the best of our knowledge, never been combined. Furthermore, anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy provide viewing in the orad direction. Even if the sigmoidoscope or colonoscope is retroflexed in the rectum, the view of the anorectal verge and the anal canal will be disturbed by the relatively thick endoscope passing through the anal canal.