Manometric measurement of anal canal resting tone: comparison of a rectosphincteric balloon probe with a water-perfused catheter assembly.
The purpose of this study was to compare the manometric measurements of a rectosphincteric balloon probe with a water-perfused catheter assembly on anal canal resting tone. Ten normal subjects (9 males, 1 female; mean age: 32 years; range 27-46 years) underwent station pull-through (0.5 cm/3 sec) beginning in the rectum with a water-perfused catheter assembly and a rectosphincteric balloon probe. Both the probe and the catheter were 5 mm in diameter. Three catheter side ports were perfused at 1 ml/min, and the rectal balloon was inflated with 5 ml of air. Measurements were taken on the same day in a counterbalanced manner. Data were analyzed on a computerized system. Mean (+/-SEM) values with the balloon were 82.3 (+/-8.9) mm Hg and 97.1 (+/-9.3) mm Hg with the catheter. These values were not significantly different (P=0.22). A significant order effect (P=0.04) was found where the first measure (101.3+/-10.2 mm Hg) was higher than the second measure (78.1+/-6.6 mm Hg), which was controlled for in the experimental design. A rectosphincteric balloon probe can accurately measure the resting tone of the anal canal compared to a water-perfused catheter assembly. Caution should be used when measuring anal canal resting tone early in an anorectal manometry assessment.
Allen
M L
ML
Division of Gastroenterology, Presbyterian Medical Center of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, USA.
Zamani
S
S
DiMarino
A J
AJ
Sodhi
S
S
Miranda
L A
LA
Nusbaum
M
M
D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000502:physiology*; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012007:Rectum / Q000502:physiology; D014867:Water
D014867:Water