BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Evaluation for dyssynergia is the most common reason that gastroenterologists refer patients for anorectal manometry, because dyssynergia is amenable to biofeedback by physical therapists. High-definition anorectal manometry (3D-HDAM) is a promising technology to evaluate anorectal physiology, but adoption remains limited by its sheer complexity. We developed a 3D-HDAM deep learning algorithm to evaluate for dyssynergia. METHODS: Spatial-temporal data were extracted from consecutive 3D-HDAM studies performed between 2018-2020 at a tertiary institution. The technical procedure and gold standard definition of dyssynergia were based on the London consensus, adapted to the needs of 3D-HDAM technology. Three machine learning models were generated: (1) traditional machine learning informed by conventional anorectal function metrics, (2) deep learning, and (3) a hybrid approach. Diagnostic accuracy was evaluated using bootstrap sampling to calculate area-under-the-curve (AUC). To evaluate overfitting, models were validated by adding 502 simulated defecation maneuvers with diagnostic ambiguity. RESULTS: 302 3D-HDAM studies representing 1,208 simulated defecation maneuvers were included (average age 55.2 years; 80.5% women). The deep learning model had comparable diagnostic accuracy (AUC=0.91 [95% confidence interval 0.89-0.93]) to traditional (AUC=0.93[0.92-0.95]) and hybrid (AUC=0.96[0.94-0.97]) predictive models in training cohorts. However, the deep learning model handled ambiguous tests more cautiously than other models; the deep learning model was more likely to designate an ambiguous test as inconclusive (odds ratio=4.21[2.78-6.38]) versus traditional/hybrid approaches. CONCLUSIONS: By considering complex spatial-temporal information beyond conventional anorectal function metrics, deep learning on 3D-HDAM technology may enable gastroenterologists to reliably identify and manage dyssynergia in broader practice.
High-resolution and high-definition anorectal manometry: rediscovering anorectal function