Influence of intravenous propofol sedation on anorectal manometry in healthy adults.
BACKGROUND
We aimed to determine whether conscious sedation by propofol could affect anorectal manometry.


METHODS
Eighteen healthy subjects underwent anorectal manometry at baseline and during conscious sedation by propofol. Sedation levels were monitored by auditory-evoked potentials.


RESULTS
All subjects showed a normal rectoanal inhibitory reflex (RAIR) before conscious sedation. During conscious sedation, the resting anal sphincter pressure was significantly lower compared with that before conscious sedation (15 +/- 2 versus 42 +/- 4 mm Hg, P < 0.001). RAIR was present in all subjects during conscious sedation. There was no difference in threshold volume inducing RAIR before and during conscious sedation (P = NS). The level of auditory-evoked potentials did not correlate well with any of the anorectal parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Propofol significantly reduces the resting anal sphincter pressure without affecting RAIR. The inability to obtain useful data in anorectal sensation and sphincter pressure might limit the utility of propofol as a sedation agent for performing anorectal manometry.
Liu
Tso-Tsai
TT
Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Medicine, Buddhist Tzu Chi General Hospital and University School of Medicine, Hualien 970, Taiwan.
Yi
Chih-Hsun
CH
Chen
Chien-Lin
CL
Liu
Hsu-Tang
HT
Chen
Tsung-Ying
TY
D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000502:physiology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D015742:Propofol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012007:Rectum / Q000502:physiology*
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; D015742:Propofol