AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 257, Issue 4 601-G606, Copyright © 1989 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Prolonged ambulant monitoring of human colonic motility

E. E. Soffer, P. Scalabrini and D. L. Wingate
Gastrointestinal Science Research Unit, London Hospital Medical College, United Kingdom.

The study of human colonic motility under physiological conditions has proved to be an elusive goal. We have used a two-stage pernasal technique to position sensors in the human colon for the prolonged monitoring of motility in freely ambulant subjects. Nine healthy volunteers were studied for a total recording time of 263 h, each study lasting between 13 and 48 (mean 29) h. Motor activity in all regions of the large bowel was characterized by scant and irregular contractions with infrequent bursts that did not conform to any pattern. No motor coordination was apparent between different regions of the large bowel. Contractile activity throughout the large bowel was reduced to a minimum during sleep and was enhanced on waking. Meals were an inconsistent stimulus to motor activity. The technique obviates the need for colonic preparation and allows complete freedom of the subjects throughout the study. In demonstrating the practical feasibility of this mode of studying the colon, these preliminary data highlight a requirement for the availability of appropriate equipment but raise questions about the design and use of such equipment and methods of data analysis.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				S. S. C. Rao, P. Sadeghi, J. Beaty, R. Kavlock, and K. Ackerson Ambulatory 24-h colonic manometry in healthy humans Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol, April 1, 2001; 280(4): G629 - G639. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				F Herbst, M A Kamm, G P Morris, K Britton, J Woloszko, and R J Nicholls Gastrointestinal transit and prolonged ambulatory colonic motility in health and faecal incontinence Gut, September 1, 1997; 41(3): 381 - 389. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]