title: Manometric evaluation of children with chronic constipation using a suction-stimulating electrode.
abstract: Thirteen children with chronic constipation (8 males and 5 females, aged 1 month to 9 years) were evaluated manometrically. A suction-stimulating electrode was used to induce the rectoanal reflex electrically so as to examine the threshold voltage and latency of this reflex. The rectoanal reflex was induced in all patients by balloon dilatation of the rectum. However, electrical stimulation of the rectal mucosa triggered a reflex in only nine of them and the threshold voltage and latency was 22.2 +/- 3.6 volts (mean +/- SD, n = 9) and 2.04 +/- 0.38 seconds (n = 9), respectively. Hence, it is suggested that a suction-stimulating electrode is a useful supportive tool in manometric anorectal studies, and that disturbances in the rectal nervous system might be one of the causative factors in chronic constipation in childhood.
authors.affiliation: Medical Center for Sick Children Fukuoka City, Section of Surgery, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagasaki
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sumitomo
mesh_terms: D001003:Anal Canal / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D012007:Rectum / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012018:Reflex