Placement of pH probes during upper endoscopy: direct visualization is accurate.
BACKGROUND
Accurate catheter placement in children for esophageal pH monitoring is performed following an endoscopy using a mathematical formula followed by confirmatory radiograph.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if endoscopic visualization of the gastroesophageal junction can be used for sensor placement without the need for confirmatory radiograph.


METHODS
Sixty-four catheters were placed using the Strobel formula method and 57 catheters were placed by visualization.


RESULTS
With the formula method, 66% of children required probe adjustment compared with 7% when the probe was placed by direct visualization (p < .005).


CONCLUSIONS
Placing pH sensors under direct visualization is accurate and reduces radiation exposure.
Gibbons
Troy E
TE
Department of Pediatrics, UAMS and Arkansas Children's Hospital, USA.
Corredor-Buchmann
Julissa
J
Smith
Chandra D
CD
D000293:Adolescent; D001131:Arkansas; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016145:Endoscopy, Digestive System / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000592:standards*; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000473:pathology*; D005745:Gastric Acidity Determination / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000592:standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult