Rectal mucosal/submucosal biopsy under general anesthesia ensures optimum diagnosis of bowel motility disorders.

Purpose: We reviewed all rectal mucosal/submucosal biopsies (RMSBx) performed between 1986 and 2015 focusing on specimen quality, incidence of complications during and after biopsy, and parental satisfaction.
Methods: From 1986 to 2004, RMSBx were performed without general anesthesia (GA) (N-GA; n = 98) and from 1995 to 2015 were performed under GA (GA; n = 525). In GA cases, some sections were stained intraoperatively and examined by a pathologist and pediatric surgeon immediately to identify ganglion cells.
Results: Mean ages at RMSBx were similar (2.7 vs. 2.5 years; p = NS). There were significantly more inadequate specimens in N-GA [18/98 (18.4 %) vs. 0/525 (0 %); p < 0.0001]. Incidence of rectal bleeding requiring transfusion was significantly lower in GA [0/525 (0 %) versus 2/98 (2.0 %); p = 0.024]. Parents of GA subjects willingly consented to RMSBx when told GA would facilitate diagnosis. Incidentally, RMSBx was more expensive in GA (US$1320 versus US$294; using ¥120 = US$1).
Conclusion: RMSBx performed under GA are safe and all specimens obtained included submucosa appropriate for optimum diagnosis in all the cases.