Electrical stimulation for anal sphincter control in barium enema examinations: an extended trial.
The routine use in 500 consecutive patients of a barium enema cannula incorporating stimulating electrodes is described. Barium retention was improved by the electrically maintained contraction of the anal sphincter. The cannula was connected to a battery-powered control unit which provided the stimulus; pulse width was 1 msec and frequency was 20 pulses/sec. The pulse amplitude, adjusted for each patient, was in the range of 5--17V. A standard procedure was adopted throughout the trial without the use of colonic relaxants (such as anticholinergic drugs). The barium suspension and water were in stilled at body temperature. A comparison with a control series of 200 patients showed a significant reduction in the failure rate from 20% to 4%. No unpleasant side effects were encountered apart from a tingling sensation in the anal region which was expected. The principal factors contributing to failure were fecal impaction and diverticular disease.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000502:physiology*; D001466:Barium Sulfate; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009119:Muscle Contraction; D009132:Muscles / Q000502:physiology*
D001466:Barium Sulfate