Background: Chronic defecation disorders significantly affect children’s quality of life. High-resolution anorectal manometry (HRAM) provides an objective assessment of anorectal function and helps identify underlying pathophysiological mechanisms.
Objective: To review the application of HRAM in pediatric practice in Vietnam and to discuss its role in the management of chronic defecation disorders.
Methods: A directed narrative review was conducted using Vietnamese- and English-language literature searched in PubMed, Google Scholar, VJOL, and Vietnamese medical journals up to June 2026.
Results: In Vietnam, HRAM was initially applied mainly to support the diagnosis of Hirschsprung disease, and was later expanded to long-term postoperative functional assessment, evaluation of refractory constipation, and integration into bowel management programs. Available data suggest that HRAM is shifting from a supportive diagnostic tool to an instrument for functional phenotyping and individualized treatment guidance. However, the current level of evidence remains low to moderate.
Conclusion: HRAM is contributing to a new approach to the management of chronic defecation disorders in Vietnamese children. Further standardized, prospective, and multicenter studies are needed to strengthen the evidence base.