AJP - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology, Vol 269, Issue 3 408-G417, Copyright © 1995 by American Physiological Society
Human colonic smooth muscle electrical activity during and after recovery from postoperative ileus
R. E. Condon, V. E. Cowles, A. A. Ferraz, S. Carilli, M. E. Carlson, K. Ludwig, E. Tekin, K. Ulualp, F. Ezberci, Y. Shoji and al. et
Department of Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
Colon smooth muscle electrical control (ECA) and response activities (ERA)
were recorded for up to 4 wk postoperatively for 48 patients after major
abdominal operations. Bipolar electrodes were implanted into right and left
colon circular muscle and exteriorized through the flanks, and signals were
tape recorded for 2-24 h daily beginning on the 1st postoperative day. A
computer program was used for data reduction and analysis. Recorded signals
were digitized and filtered. The ECA frequency components were identified
by fast Fourier transformation, and their relative tenancy in low, mid, and
high frequency ranges was determined. Short and long ERA burst duration and
frequency and number and velocity of propagating long ERA bursts were
determined. ECA was omnipresent and exhibited a downshift of the dominant
frequency from the mid to the low range as recovery from postoperative
ileus progressed. Concurrently, first in the right and then in the left
colon, the frequency of long ERA bursts increased, followed by the
appearance of propagating long ERA. After the 6th postoperative day, no
further significant changes in parameters of colon electrical activity
occurred with time.
