Colonic manometry as predictor of cecostomy success in children with defecation disorders

Purpose

The aim of this study was to define the predictive value of colonic manometry and contrast enema before cecostomy placement in children with defecation disorders.

Methods

Medical records, contrast enema, and colonic manometry studies were reviewed for 32 children with defecation disorders who underwent cecostomy placement between 1999 and 2004. Diagnoses included idiopathic constipation (n = 13), Hirschsprung's disease (n = 2), cerebral palsy (n = 1), imperforate anus (n = 6), spinal abnormality (n = 6), and anal with spinal abnormality (n = 4). Contrast enemas were evaluated for the presence of anatomic abnormalities and the degree of colonic dilatation. Colonic manometry was considered normal when high-amplitude propagating contractions (HAPC) occurred from proximal to distal colon. Clinical success was defined as normal defecation frequency with no or occasional fecal incontinence.

Results

Colonic manometry was done on 32 and contrast enema on 24 patients before cecostomy. At follow-up, 25 patients (78%) fulfilled the success criteria. Absence of HAPC throughout the colon was related to unsuccessful outcome (P = .03). Colonic response with normal HAPC after bisacodyl administration was predictive of success (P = .03). Presence of colonic dilatation was not associated with colonic dysmotility.

Conclusion

Colonic manometry is helpful in predicting the outcome after cecostomy. Patients with generalized colonic dysmotility are less likely to benefit from use of antegrade enemas via cecostomy. Normal colonic response to bisacodyl predicts favorable outcome.     

Ghrelin对糖尿病小鼠结肠动力的影响及机制

目的：探讨生长激素促分泌素受体（GHS-R）内源性激动剂Ghrelin对糖尿病小鼠结肠动力的影响,进一步探讨其作用机制。方法：建立糖尿病小鼠模型,用炭末推进实验测定正常小鼠和糖尿病小鼠的结肠推进率,分析Ghrelin、阿托品、L-NAME和D-lys3-GHRP-6对糖尿病小鼠结肠转运的影响,并观察Ghrelin和河豚毒素（TTX）在体外对糖尿病小鼠近端环形平滑肌条自发收缩活动的影响。结果：糖尿病小鼠的结肠推进率为（34.70±1.42）%,正常小鼠的结肠推进率为（39.70±1.78）%,二者差异有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。Ghrelin注射剂量为50、100、200μg/kg时糖尿病小鼠结肠推进率均显著提高,分别为（40.10±1.23）%、45.30±2.32）%、56.40±2.81）%,有明显的量效关系（P〈0.05）。而阿托品、（（L-NAME和D-lys3-GHRP-6均能抑制Ghrelin增加糖尿病小鼠结肠推进率的效应。在体外,Ghrelin浓度在0.1、1和10μmol/L时均可显著增加肌条的自发收缩幅度,分别增加至不加药情况下的（1.12±0.04）、1.23±0.03）和（1.35±0.04）倍,有明显的量效关系（P〈0.05）,能阻断该效应。结论：Ghrelin（TTX能提高糖尿病小鼠的结肠动力,其作用机制可能是通过肌间神经丛系统的硝基能神经和胆碱能神经上的受体而起作用。     

Stooling patterns and colonic motility after transanal one-stage pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease in children

Background

The transanal one-stage endorectal pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease is relatively new and makes assessment of the functional outcome and colonic motility difficult. The aim of this study was to evaluate the stooling patterns and colonic motility after a one-stage transanal pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease in children.

Methods

Twenty-two children who underwent a one-stage transanal pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease were followed up for at least 6 months. The children (17 boys and 5 girls) were from 12 months to 13 years of age (mean age, 4 years). All patients had an aganglionic segment confined to the rectosigmoid area (confirmed by preoperative barium enema and postoperative histology). Clinical outcome was assessed by interviews and questionnaires, and children were divided into symptomatic and nonsymptomatic groups. Contrast barium enema and defecography and determination of total and segmental colonic transit time (using radio-opaque markers) were performed on all 22 children.

Results

The stooling patterns were considered satisfactory in 17 children. Of all the children, the mean stool times were 1 to 2 per day and only 2 were 8 to 10 per day; postoperative soiling was found in 4, constipation was observed in 2, and Hirschsprung-associated enterocolitis in 1. There was no incontinence, cuff infection, anastomotic leak, or mortality noted. Barium enema showed that the dilated and spastic colonic segment disappeared in all 22 children. The dilated sigmoid loops decreased in 17 (2 symptomatic, 15 nonsymptomatic) and disappeared in 5 (4 symptomatic, 1 nonsymptomatic). There was a significant difference between the decreasing and disappearing loop group in regard to stooling disorders (P < .05). Postoperative defecography showed that the anorectal angle of all children was open, fixed, and significantly larger than that of the preoperative and control groups (123.3° ± 15.1° vs 84.7° ± 8.3° vs 79.0° ± 11.6°, P < .01) and larger in the symptomatic group when compared with the nonsymptomatic group (135.6° ± 15.9° vs 111.0° ± 14.3°, P < .05). Postoperatively, the total gastrointestinal transit time, left colonic transit time, and rectosigmoid colonic transit time of all the children were shorter than preoperatively (26.8 ± 8.2 vs >188 hours, P < .01; 6.3 ± 4.1 vs >60 hours, P < .01; 11.8 ± 4.4 vs >120 hours, P < .01) and similar to controls. The total gastrointestinal transit time and rectosigmoid colonic transit time of the symptomatic group were significantly shorter than the nonsymptomatic group (25.2 ± 5.6 vs 28.1 ± 10.1 hours, P < .05; 12.2 ± 6.7 vs 9.8 ± 4.0 hours, P < .05).

Conclusions

The stooling pattern and colonic motility are satisfactory in most children after the one-stage transanal pull-through operation for Hirschsprung's disease. Normalization of colon appearance and total and segmental colonic transit time are signs of recovery of colonic motility. Stooling disorders were noted in a few cases and may be related to decrease or disappearance of the sigmoid loop, dysfunction of the “neorectosigmoid”, an open and fixed anorectal angle, and ischemia of the pull-through segment.     

Scintigraphic evaluation of colonic motility in patients with anorectal malformations and constipation

Background and Purpose

Constipation is one of the major sequelae in patients after correction of anorectal anomalies (ARAs). The aim of the present work has been to assess the colonic transit time, using radioisotope scintigraphy, in patients operated for ARA and experiencing constipation in the follow-up. The results were compared with transit time from children with true functional constipation.

Methods

Twelve or 32 patients operated for ARA during the period 1994-2003 experienced mild or severe constipation (6 with high or intermediate form of ARA and 6 with low type) at follow-up. The mean age of this group was 5.8 years. Eighteen patients, mean age 6.7 years, with true functional constipation were studied as well. Colonic transit times were investigated using radioisotope scintigraphy. Normal values for colonic transit time were derived from historical controls. Radioisotope diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid labelled with indium 111 was administered orally to determine a segmental colonic transit. Images of the abdomen have been taken at 6, 24, 48, and again at 72 hours, if radioactivity was not cleared from the colon. To quantify colonic transit, we calculated the geometric centre (GC) dividing the colon into anatomic regions.

Results

According to normal controls, 2 different type of delayed transit can be observed: (a) slow-transit constipation if GC at 48 hours is less than 4.1; (b) functional rectosigmoid obstruction (FRSO) if GC at 48 hours is 4.1 or more but less than 6.1 at 72 hours. Patients with functional constipation were divided into 2 groups: (a) slow-transit constipation in 12 patients with a GC at 48 hours of 3.7 ± 0.5; (b) FRSO in 6 patients with a GC of 4.7 ± 0.04 and 5.02 at 48 and 72 hours, respectively. Patients operated for high ARA had values characteristic of FRSO with GC at 48 hours of 5.1 ± 0.8 and 4.75 ± 0.5 at 72 hours. In low ARA, the transit times were similar to the ones observed in patients with high ARA at 48 hours with a GC of 4.9 ± 0.5.

Conclusions

Patients with ARA frequently have functional sequelae in the postoperative period such as constipation. According to our results, constipation seems to be secondary to segmental motility disorders limited to the rectosigmoid area, similar to constipated children with FRSO. No evidence of more generalised motility disturbance, as previously postulated, could be recorded.     

A pilot study using total colonic manometry in the surgical evaluation of pediatric functional colonic obstruction

Background/purpose

Total colonic manometry (TCM) can directly measure intraluminal pressures and contractile function of the entire colon. The utility of TCM to guide the surgical management of functional colonic obstruction has not been reported.

Methods

Total colonic manometry was performed on all patients referred for surgical evaluation of refractory functional colonic obstruction. Manometric tracings were obtained while fasting, after feeding, and after pharmacologic stimulation.

Results

Nine patients were referred for refractory colonic obstruction. The mean age was 4.8 years, and the mean duration of follow-up was 29 months. Two patients had functional obstruction after repair of Hirschsprung’s disease, and 7 patients had idiopathic functional obstruction. In the idiopathic group, 4 distinct motility patterns were identified: (1) normal colonic motility, (2) dysmotility with massive distension, (3) persistent segmental dysmotility, and (4) global neuropathy/myopathy. Both Hirschsprung’s patients showed globally abnormal motility. Surgical management was guided by TCM results. There was significant improvement in bowel function and weight gain after manometry-guided intervention. An unnecessary laparotomy was avoided in 2 patients.

Conclusions

TCM can be valuable in deciding the need for and timing of diversion, the extent of resection required, and the suitability of the patient for restoring bowel continuity in refractory functional obstruction.     

Gastropyloric motor activity and the effects of erythromycin given orally after esophagectomy

BACKGROUND: The motor activity of the gastric tube as an esophageal replacement after esophagectomy is poorly understood. The aims of the present study were to examine the gastropyloric motility of the gastric tube and the effects of erythromycin given orally. METHODS: Interdigestive gastropyloric motility was recorded by manometry with a sleeve sensor in 23 esophagectomized patients. The 23 patients were classified into 3-, 12-, and 24-month groups according to postoperative follow-up time. Radiopaque markers were used in 8 patients to assess gastric emptying. The effects of erythromycin were studied after the patients received 600 mg during fasting and 1 g postprandially. RESULTS: Compared with the 3-month group, the 12-month group and the 24-month group showed significantly increased pyloric and antral motility, respectively. During a fast, erythromycin induced phase III in 44.4% of the patients with more than 12 months of follow-up. In contrast to the normal subjects, esophagectomized patients showed delayed gastric emptying at 3 and 4 hours. However, erythromycin significantly accelerated gastric emptying at 1, 2, 3, and 4 hours. CONCLUSIONS: The motor activity of the gastric tube returns towards normal in a progression over time from the pylorus cephalad. Erythromycin given orally might be used as a prokinetic agent in patients after esophagectomy.     

A controlled trial of the use of erythromycin for men with asthenospermia

A double-blind crossover controlled trial of Erythromycin was conducted in 78 men with asthenospermia (mean pretreatment sperm concentration greater than or equal to 20 X 10(6)/ml and motility less than 60%). Sperm motility increased above the pretreatment mean after the first one month course of treatment for both Erythromycin (7.9 +/- 2.6% P less than 0.01; mean +/- SEM) and the placebo group (7.5 +/- 2.2% P less than 0.01) and also after the second one month course of treatment, given one month after the first, for both Erythromycin (11.8 +/- 2.7% P less than 0.001) and placebo (11.4 +/- 2.8% P less than 0.001). There was no significant difference between the changes in sperm motility with Erythromycin and placebo. Twelve pregnancies occurred during the four month trial time--eight with Erythromycin and four with placebo (chi 2 = 2.51 P = NS). It is concluded that in infertile men, sperm motility tends to increase spontaneously with time. Erythromycin treatment has no significant effect on semen quality and a larger trial will be required to determine if Erythromycin increases fertility.     

Antegrade colonic enemas and intestinal diversion are highly effective in the management of children with intractable constipation

Purpose

Intractable constipation in children is an uncommon but debilitating condition. When medical therapy fails, surgery is warranted; but the optimal surgical approach has not been clearly defined. We reviewed our experience with operative management of intractable constipation to identify predictors of success and to compare outcomes after 3 surgical approaches: antegrade continence enema (ACE), enteral diversion, and primary resection.

Methods

A retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing ACE, diversion, or resection for intractable, idiopathic constipation from 1994 to 2007 was performed. Satisfactory outcome was defined as minimal fecal soiling and passage of stool at least every other day (ACE, resection) or functional enterostomy without abdominal distension (diversion).

Results

Forty-four patients (range = 1-26 years, mean = 9 years) were included. Sixteen patients underwent ACE, 19 underwent primary diversion (5 ileostomy, 14 colostomy), and 9 had primary colonic resections. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved in 63%, 95%, and 22%, respectively. Of the 19 patients diverted, 14 had intestinal continuity reestablished at a mean of 27 months postdiversion, with all of these having a satisfactory outcome at an average follow-up of 56 months. Five patients underwent closure of the enterostomy without resection, whereas the remainder underwent resection of dysmotile colon based on preoperative colonic manometry studies. Of those undergoing ACE procedures, age younger than 12 years was a predictor of success, whereas preoperative colonic manometry was not predictive of outcome. Second manometry 1 year post-ACE showed improvement in all patients tested. On retrospective review, patient noncompliance contributed to ACE failure.

Conclusions

Antegrade continence enema and enteral diversion are very effective initial procedures in the management of intractable constipation. Greater than 90% of diverted patients have an excellent outcome after the eventual restoration of intestinal continuity. Colon resection should not be offered as initial therapy, as it is associated with nearly 80% failure rate and the frequent need for additional surgery.     

Effects of epidural morphine and epiduralo bupivacaine on gastroduodenal motility during the fasted state and after food intake

The effects of a thoracic epidural analgesia with morphine or bupivacaine on gastroduodenal motility during the fasted state and after food intake were evaluated in healthy volunteers. Nine volunteers were studied on two occasions, separated by at least 2 weeks, and were randomly allocated to receive either epidural morphine or epidural bupivacaine at the T6–T7 level on each occasion. Gastroduodenal motility was measured by manometry. Acetaminophen absorption was used as an indirect measure of the rate of gastric emptying and orocecal transit time was determined by use of the hydrogen breath test after ingestion of raffinose. During the control measurements, before the epidural analgesia, there were no differences in gastroduodenal pressure activity between the morphine and bupivacaine groups. Compared to epidural bupivacaine, epidural morphine significantly changed the pressure activity with a higher number of contractions in the duodenum, both during the fasted state and after food intake. Retrograde pressure activity was seen in the duodenum after epidural morphine but not after epidural bupivacaine. There were no significant differences in the pressure activity in the stomach after epidural morphine compared to epidural bupivacaine. Gastric emptying was delayed and orocecal transit time prolonged after epidural morphine. This study in volunteers showed that epidural morphine, compared to epidural bupivacaine, significantly changed the gastroduodenal motility, both during the fasted state and after food intake.     

Long-term outcome, colonic motility, and sphincter performance after Swenson's procedure for Hirschsprung's disease: a single-center 2-decade experience with 346 cases

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to explore the long-term outcome and the colon and sphincter function in children undergoing the Swenson's operation for Hirschsprung's disease (HD). METHODS: Three hundred forty-six children (266 males and 80 females) undergoing Swenson's operation for HD for 8 to 20 years were followed up. Barium enema and defecography, total and segmental colonic transit time with the simplified radioopaque markers, and the anorectal vector manometry were used. RESULTS: Stooling patterns were fair in most patients, and the functional examinations were abnormal in few cases. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term outcome is satisfactory in most of the children undergoing the Swenson's operation for HD, but it is still not as good as what the surgeons have expected. This is probably because of the abnormal colonic motility and/or the dysfunctions of the internal anal sphincter.     

腹腔镜Nissen胃底折叠术对胃食管反流病患者食管动力学的影响

目的通过食管高分辨率测压（high resolution manometry,HRM）对比胃食管反流病（gastroesophageal reflux disease,GERD）患者腹腔镜下Nissen胃底折叠术（laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication,LNF）前后食管动力学的改变情况,探讨手术的抗反流原理。 方法选取2014年6月至2016年7月,火箭军总医院73例连续住院的GERD患者,LNF术前1周内行包括HRM在内一系列术前评估,术后GERD症状明显缓解且吞咽困难等并发症已经消失时复查HRM。对手术前后2次HRM的9个食管动力学参数进行对比分析,并按术前是否存在食管裂孔疝进一步分组分析。 结果术后患者食管长度平均延长了（0.43±1.72）cm,腹腔内下食管括约肌长度平均延长了（1.20± 0.94）cm,术后患者下食管括约肌静息压平均增加了（5.99±7.79）mmHg（1 mmHg=0.133 kPa）,综合松弛压平均增加了（3.41±5.43）mmHg;远端收缩分数平均增加了（157.26±596.01）mmHg·s·cm,远端收缩延迟时间平均增加了（0.93±2.30）s;上述6个动力学参数与术前比较差异均有统计学意义（P=0.04,<0.01,<0.01,<0.01,0.03,<0.01）。而术后下食管括约肌长度、食管上括约肌压力和收缩前沿速度与术前相比差异无统计学意义（P=0.83,0.43,0.73）。食管长度、下食管括约肌长度和远端收缩分数在食管裂孔疝患者中较无食管裂孔疝患者改善更为显著（P<0.01,<0.01,<0.01）。 结论LNF主要通过延长腹腔内食管长度,增强下食管括约压力,增强食管的廓清功能,从而到达有效的抗反流作用。其中合并食管裂孔疝的患者较无食管裂孔疝患者术后上述食管动力学改善更为显著。     

Endoscopic manometry of the sphincter of Oddi in patients with Lemmel’s syndrome

The OS basal pressure and contraction pressure values were 12.4 ± 5.1 mmHg and 103.4 ± 24.3 mmHg, respectively, in the patients with Lemmel's syndrome, and 19.5 ± 5.1 mmHg and 136.8 ± 28.2 mmHg, respectively, in the control patients. These differences between the groups were statistically significant; however, the wave frequency was not significantly different between the groups. The mean percentages of antegrade, simultaneous, and retrograde sequences were 37.5% ± 11.3%, 19.9% ± 8.7%, and 43.4% ± 11.7%, respectively, in the patients with Lemmel's syndrome, and 66.5% ± 11.0%, 20.2% ± 4.7%, and 14.3% ± 9.2%, respectively, in the controls. The differences between the groups were significant (P < 0.01) for the antegrade and retrograde sequences. These findings indicate that dysfunction of the OS in patients with Lemmel's syndrome could be important in the development of hepatocholangiopancreatic disease caused by duodenobiliary and duodenopancreatic reflux. (Received for publication on Nov. 28, 1996; accepted on July 8, 1997)     

Systemic and central effects of morphine on gastroduodenal motility

Gastrointestinal side effects still constitute a major drawback in both acute and chronic use of opioids. The exact mechanism behind the gastrointestinal effects is not known, but experimental studies indicate both central and peripheral actions. In an attempt to clarify to what extent the systemic effects of morphine after epidural administration contribute to the action on gastrointestinal motility, a study aiming to resemble the situation with epidural morphine was designed. Twenty healthy male volunteers were randomly allocated to two groups. Group one (n = 10) received intrathecal (0.4 mg) and intramuscular (4 mg) morphine (IT-IM-group). Group two (n=10) received intrathecal (0.4 mg) morphine and i.m. saline (IT-group). Gastroduodenal activity was assessed by gastric emptying, manometry and electrogastrography. The plasma and urine concentrations of morphine and its inactive metabolite morphine-3- and active metabolite morphine-6-glucuronide were also determined During the fasted state the gastrointestinal activity is characterised by a cyclic pattern with a duration of 80–120 min in the duodenum comprising three different phases with intense activity during Phase III. This pattern was seen in all volunteers. After the intrathecal administration the Phase III activity occurred significantly earlier in the IT-IM group (median 31 min; IR 34 min) compared to IT group (82 min; 37 min) (P < 0.01). The number of Phase IIIs was higher in the IT-IM group during the first 4 h after the morphine administration, compared to the IT group. However, after 6 h, there was no difference between the groups. The propagation velocity of Phase III decreased significantly in both groups (P < 0.001), but there was no difference between the groups. Tachygastria increased significantly with time in both groups. The acetaminophen absorption test showed that the area under the concentration curve (120 min) was significantly smaller in the IT-IM group compared to the IT group (P < 0.05). There were no measurable plasma concentrations of morphine or the gluco-ronidated metabolites M3G and M6G in the group that only received intrathecal morphine. This study showed that intrathecal morphine (0.4 mg) influenced gastroduodenal motility and that intramuscular morphine (4 mg) gave additional effects. These results might be applicable to the epidural situation and are indirect evidence that the gastroduodenal effects of epidural morphine are caused by both central and systemic effects of morphine.     

小儿便秘结肠动力学机制的初步探讨

目的探讨慢性便秘患儿的结肠动力学变化特点和规律。方法 2 5例便秘儿童接受结肠传输时间测定和直肠肛管向量测压检查 ,根据结肠传输时间将便秘儿童分为传输时间正常型便秘组和传输时间延长型便秘组 ,探讨直肠肛管向量测压对于不同类型便秘的意义。结果便秘组的全胃肠传输时间 (TGITT)、左半结肠传输时间 (LCTT)和直肠乙状结肠传输时间 (RSTT)较对照组显著延长 [(92± 5 6 )h比 (2 9± 8)h ,P <0 0 1;(17± 13)h比 (7± 4 )h ,P <0 0 1;(6 2± 2 9)h比 (13±6 )h ,P <0 0 1]。肛管最大收缩压显著升高 [(2 36± 4 4 )mmHg比 (190± 38)mmHg ,P <0 0 5 ],对称指数显著降低 [(0 71± 0 0 6 )比 (0 84± 0 0 8) ,P <0 0 5 ]。传输时间正常型便秘组和传输时间延长型便秘组的肛管最大压力、向量容积和对称指数之间差异无显著意义。结论便秘儿童的TGITT、LCTT和RSTT比正常儿童显著延长 ,肛管最大收缩压升高 ,对称指数降低。便秘儿童的结肠传输功能和 (或 )直肠肛管动力存在不同程度异常。     

生长激素促分泌素受体对小鼠结肠动力的影响和机制

目的:探讨生长激素促分泌素受体及其激动剂GHRP-6对小鼠结肠动力的影响及机制。方法:小鼠随机分组后,分别注射生理盐水、GHRP-6(20、50、100、200μg/kg),用炭末推进实验的方法研究GHRP-6对小鼠结肠推进的影响。小鼠近端结肠环形平滑肌条安置在恒温灌流肌槽中,并用SMUP-E生物信号处理系统记录肌条的自发收缩活动,观察不同浓度的GHRP-6(0.01、0.1、1和10μmol/L)对肌条自发收缩幅度的影响,以及神经阻断剂TTX和GHS-R阻断剂D-lys3-GHRP-6孵育肌条情况下,GHRP-6对肌条自发收缩幅度的影响。结果:GHRP-6注射剂量在50、100、200μg/kg时均能显著提高小鼠的结肠推进(P0.05)。GHRP-6浓度在0.1、1和10μmol/L时均能显著增加小鼠近端结肠环形平滑肌条的自发收缩幅度(P0.05),在TTX和D-lys3-GHRP-6孵育肌条下,Ghrelin不能增加小鼠结肠环形平滑肌条的自发收缩幅度。结论:GHRP-6可以显著增加小鼠的结肠推进,其机制可能是通过肠肌间神经丛的的GHS-R受体而起作用。     

Colonic motility and functional assessment of the patients with anorectal malformations according to Krickenbeck consensus

Background/Purpose

In this study, the patients operated on for anorectal malformations (ARM) were evaluated in terms of segmental (SCTT) and total colonic transit times (TCTT) and clinical status according to Krickenbeck consensus before and after treatments.

Methods

Forty-one patients with ARM (28 males/13 females) older than 3 years (median age, 7.7 years; range, 3-25) who had no therapy before were assessed for voluntary bowel movements (VBM), soiling (from 1 to 3), and constipation (from 1 to 3), retrospectively. Distribution of the patients were rectourethral fistula (17), perineal fistula (PF; 8), vestibular fistula (VF; 8), cloaca (3), rectovesical fistula (1), rectovaginal fistula (1), pouch colon with colovestibular fistula (1), no fistula (1), and unknown (1). The patients ingested daily 20 radiopaque markers for 3 days, followed by a single abdominal x-ray on days 4 and 7 if needed. The results were compared with the reference values in the literature.

Results

Mean follow-up period was 36 months (range, 1-108.5 months). All patients but 1 had soiling in different degrees. Twenty-one patients who had VBM were divided into group 1, with constipation (n = 9), and group 2, without constipation (n = 12). The other 19 patients who had no VBM were divided into group 3, with constipation (n = 14), and group 4, without constipation (n = 5). The longest TCTT and rectosigmoid SCTT were found in group 3 (69.5 and 35.2 hours, respectively). Group 1 had long SCTT in rectosigmoid but normal TCTT (27.8 and 47.4 hours, respectively). Groups 2 and 4 had normal SCTT and TCTT, and there was no significant difference between them. After the appropriate treatment, of the patients, 45% (18/40) had no soiling, and the soiling score decreased to grade 1 in 27.5% (11/40) and to grade 2 in 10% (4/40). Four had unchanged soiling score, and 3 were excluded from the study because of follow-up problems. Half of the patients in group 3 (4 VF, 2 rectourethral fistula, PF) gained VBM without soiling after laxative treatment. Only four of 23 patients had decreased constipation score (2 cloaca, PF, VF).

Conclusions

In this study, ARM patients complaining of constipation with or without VBM had prolonged SCTT in the rectosigmoid region. Percentage of the improvement in soiling scores was more conspicuous than that of constipation scores. The dismal figure observed at the first examination in the assessment of VBM was not associated with an unfavorable improvement with laxative treatment. So, it is suggested that assessment of VBM initially may be deceptive for clinical status.     

On the mechanism of colonic motility: the electric activation theory of colonic contraction

PURPOSE: A previous study has demonstrated that the longitudinal muscle possesses electric activity, while the circular does not (A. Shafik and A. A. Shafik, 2000, Front. Biosci. 5, b5). In the current study, we investigated the mechanism of action of the two colonic muscle coats in the motility of the gut. METHODS: Fourteen patients (43.8 years, 10 men) with left colon or rectal cancer were scheduled to have transverse colostomy as a part of their operation. The electric activity of the ascending colon was recorded by three electrodes applied to each of the circular and the longitudinal (taenia coli) muscle coats. Simultaneously, the colonic pressure was recorded before and after colonic distension. The test was repeated after longitudinal muscle anesthetization. RESULTS: Electric waves in the form of pacesetter (PPs) and action (APs) potentials were recorded from the longitudinal but not the circular muscle fibers. APs were associated with an intracolonic pressure rise. Colonic distension produced significant increase in the PPs and APs recorded from the longitudinal muscle with appearance of similar electric activity from the circular muscle. Electric activity and colonic pressure increased upon increase in the colonic distension until the balloon in the proximal part of the ascending colon moved to the transverse colon in one mass contraction. Ten minutes after longitudinal muscle anesthetization, no electric activity was recorded from the longitudinal and circular muscles upon colonic distension. CONCLUSIONS: The electric waves appear to be transmitted from the longitudinal to the circular muscle upon colonic distension. The giant migrating contractions of the colon that move the food bolus from the cecum to the transverse colon are suggested to be a function of the longitudinal muscle electric activation with gut lumen modulation by the circular fibers.     

High-resolution manometry: an atlas of esophageal motility disorders and findings of GERD using esophageal pressure topography

High-resolution manometry (HRM) has now become widely available and currently is moving into mainstream clinical practice. This article provides an HRM-related atlas of esophageal motility disorders focused on dysphagia and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Although there is some overlap between esophageal motor disorders associated with dysphagia and the defects and esophageal motor function that would predispose the patient to more severe GERD, this review is organized to differentiate the distinct pathophysiologic components of the two disease groups. A section on impaired bolus transit is also included to highlight the important aspect of impaired clearance in the pathogenesis of GERD.     

围手术期联合应用红霉素在预防术后肠粘连的临床研究

目的探讨围手术期联合应用红霉素对肠粘连及肠梗阻的预防作用。方法113例腹部手术患者随机分为实验组、对照组,分别记录与腹腔粘连相关的情况,随访30个月,观察粘连肠梗阻发生率。结果实验组粘连性肠梗阻发生率明显低于对照组(P<0.05),且患者用红霉素等药物未发生明显副反应。结论围手术期应用红霉素等药物及其他治疗措施可防止手术后肠梗阻及粘连性肠梗阻发生,效果肯定且安全。     

红霉素对食管癌术后胃电活动与排空功能的影响

目的 观察食管癌术后红霉素对胃电图和胃排空的影响.方法 将30例食管癌切除食管胃弓上吻合术后患者分成试验组与对照组,每组各15例,分别于术前、术后1、3、6和12个月进行胃电图和放射性核素胃排空检查. 试验组术后于检查前1周开始口服红霉素0.25 g/次,每日3次.结果 术后患者胃电图平均振幅、主频以及正常慢波百分比较术前均降低,术后1个月,试验组各参数均已达到术前水平,而对照组术后1年才达到术前水平 （P＞0.05）.术后患者胃排空明显延缓,术后12个月试验组半量胃排空时间达到术前水平（P＞0.05）,而对照组远未达到术前正常水平 （P＜0.01）.结论 红霉素促进食管癌术后胃电活动和胃排空功能的恢复.胃排空恢复迟于胃电活动的恢复可能与胃壁的缺血、水肿有关.