Crucial decisions concerning surgical treatment are often based on the results of various methods used for assessing colorectal function. Yet the new methods which have resulted from recent technological advances are still often regarded as research tools or viewed with skepticism by the practicing physician. New horizons are opened up for the coloproctologist in this book which fully documents the scope of established and recently developed investigative techniques. These include manometry, electromyography, scintigraphy and defaecography. The discussion shows how each technique is conducted and in what way the results can be interpreted and used for the management of patients with colorectal disorders. Specialist areas such as the neorectum and the assessment of the pediatric patient are also included. This book clearly establishes the place of each technique in clinical practice. The text is clear and simple so that not only specialists but also non-specialists will be able to understand and set up the appropriate tests for specific colorectal disorders.