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.
Division of Gastroenterology, Presbyterian Medical Center of Philadelphia, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, USA.
M L
ML
Allen
S
S
Zamani
A J
AJ
DiMarino
S
S
Sodhi
L A
LA
Miranda
M
M
Nusbaum
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