The colonic motility and classification of patients with slow transit constipation by high-resolution colonic manometry.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the colonic motility of slow transit constipation (STC) patients using high-resolution colonic manometry (HRCM) and classify the patients' subtypes to instruct treatment based on HRCM characteristics. METHODS: This study enrolled one hundred and twenty-six STC patients and 35 volunteers (healthy controls, HCs). Ambulatory HRCM was performed in all participants by placing a 36-sensor water-perfused probe up to the cecum. Quantitative and qualitative manometric analysis was conducted in the state of rest, postprandial, during sleep, and wakefulness. RESULTS: The occurrence rate and times of high amplitude propagated contraction (HAPC) in STC patients were lower than HCs. As for the HAPC contraction characteristics, the mean velocity was similar, contraction length, amplitude, area under the curve (AUC) of pressure wave, and duration were reduced in STC patients compared with HCs. In addition, the occurrence rate and times of low amplitude propagated contraction (LAPC) in STC patients were similar compared to HCs. There was no difference in HAPC occurrence, LAPC occurrence, and most detailed HAPC characteristics between STC patients ≤60 years and STC patients >60 years or between male STC patients and female STC patients. Based on the HRCM characteristics (including HAPC, neostigmine induced HAPC, LAPC, and waking/gastrocolic response), STC patients were classified into four types, respectively, with recommended treatment by clinical experience. CONCLUSION: HRCM serves as a valuable tool in characterizing, classifying the pathophysiology, and guiding clinical management for STC.

Post-operative colonic manometry in children with Hirschsprung disease: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: A significant proportion of children experience bowel dysfunction (including constipation and fecal incontinence) following surgical repair of Hirschsprung disease (HD). Persistent symptoms are thought to relate to underlying colonic and/or anorectal dysmotility. Manometry may be used to investigate the gastrointestinal motility patterns of this population. PURPOSE: To (1) evaluate the colonic manometry equipment and protocols used in the assessment of the post-operative HD population and (2) summarize the available evidence regarding colonic motility patterns in children with HD following surgical repair. DATA SOURCES: We performed a systematic review of the Cochrane Library, Embase, MEDLINE, and PubMed databases (January 1, 1980 and March 9, 2020). Data were extracted independently by two authors. STUDY SELECTION: This systematic review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Studies reporting the post-operative assessment of children with HD using colonic manometry were considered for inclusion. RESULTS: Five studies satisfied selection criteria, providing a combined total of 496 children. Of these, 184 children with repaired HD underwent colonic manometry. Studies assessed heterogeneous populations, utilized variable manometry equipment and protocols, and reported limited baseline symptom characteristics, thus restricting comparability. All studies used low-resolution colonic manometry. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review highlighted the paucity of evidence informing the understanding of colonic dysmotility in the post-operative HD cohort. Current literature is limited by variable methodologies, heterogeneous cohorts, and the lack of high-resolution manometry.

Characterization of haustral activity in the human colon.

Contraction patterns of the human colon are rarely discussed from the perspective of its haustra. Colonic motility was analyzed in 21 healthy subjects using 84-sensor manometry catheters with 1-cm sensor spacing. Capsule endoscopy and manometry showed evidence of narrow rhythmic circular muscle contractions. X-ray images of haustra and sensor locations allowed us to identify manometry motor activity as intrahaustral activity. Two common motor patterns were observed that we infer to be associated with individual haustra: rhythmic pressure activity confined to a single sensor, and activity confined to a section of the colon of 3-6 cm length. Intrahaustral activity was observed by 3-4 sensors. Approximately 50% of the haustra were intermittently active for ∼30% of the time; 2,402 periods of haustral activity were analyzed. Intrahaustral activity showed rhythmic pressure waves, propagating in mixed direction, 5-30 mmHg in amplitude at a frequency of ∼3 cpm (range 2-6) or ∼12 cpm (range 7-15), or exhibiting a checkerboard segmentation pattern. Boundaries of the haustra showed rhythmic pressure activity with or without elevated baseline pressure. Active haustra often showed no boundary activity probably allowing transit to neighboring haustra. Haustral boundaries were seen at the same sensor for the 6- to 8-h study duration, indicating that they did not propagate, thereby likely contributing to continence. The present study elucidates the motility characteristics of haustral boundaries and the nature of intrahaustral motor patterns and paves the way for investigating their possible role in pathophysiology of defecation disorders.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we present the first full characterization and quantification of motor patterns that we infer to be confined to single haustra, both intrahaustral activity and haustral boundary activity, in the human colon using high-resolution manometry. Haustral activity is intermittent but consistently present in about half of the haustra. Intrahaustral activity presents as a cyclic motor pattern of mixed propagation direction dominated by simultaneous pressure waves that can resolve into checkerboard segmentation, allowing for mixing, absorption, and stool formation.

Study on the intestinal motility characteristics of 225 patients with different subtypes of constipation based on high-resolution colon manometry / 中华消化杂志

Objective:To compare the results of high-resolution colonic manometry (HRCM) in patients with four subtypes of constipation: slow transit constipation(STC), outlet obstruction constipation (OOC), mixed STC and OOC, and normal transit constipation(NTC), and to explore the intestinal motility characteristics of patients with different subtypes of constipation.Methods:From 20th January 2017 to 20th September 2020, the HRCM results of 225 patients with functional constipation who visited the Department of Anorectal Surgery of Tianjin Union Medical Center were retrospectively analyzed. According to the results of colonic transit test, 225 patients were divided into STC group (108 cases), OOC group (36 cases), mixed group (28 cases) and NTC group (53 cases). General information such as Wexner constipation scores, clinical symptoms (decreased desire to defecate, sensation of anorectal blockage, hand-assisted defecation, spontaneous bowel movements frequency<3 times per week), the incidence, frequency within one day (hereinafter referred to as frequency), average velocity, average wave amplitude, average duration of contraction, average length of contraction, and the dynamic index (DI) of average pressure of high-amplitude propagating contraction (HAPC), as well as the frequency, average wave amplitude, average duration of contraction, and the DI of average pressure of low-amplitude propagating contraction (LAPC) were compared among the four groups. One-way ANOVA and multiple comparison, Kruskal-Wallis test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis.Results:The Wexner constipation scores of the STC, OOC, mixed and NTC group were 13.17±4.04, 13.97±4.55, 11.36±4.03 and 11.58±4.06, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=3.879, P<0.05). The Wexner consipation scores of the STC and OOC group were both higher than the mixed and NTC group, and the difference were statistically significant (One-way ANOVA and multiple comparison, all P<0.05). The proportion of decreased desire to defecate, sensation of anorectal blockage, hand-assisted defecation, spontaneous bowel movements frequency<3 times per week of STC, OOC, mixed and NTC group were 47.2% (51/108), 36.1% (13/36), 14.3% (4/28), 20.8% (11/53); 42.6% (46/108), 75.0% (27/36), 46.4% (13/28), 64.2% (34/ 53); 31.5% (34/108), 38.9% (14/36), 3.6% (1/28), 18.9% (10/53); 90.7% (98/108), 77.8% (28/36), 82.1% (23/28) and 62.3% (33/53), and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=17.093, 12.463, 13.437 and 18.927; all P<0.01). The proportion of decreased desire to defecate of STC group was higher than that of mixed and NTC group, and spontaneous bowel movements frequency<3 times per week was higher than that of OOC and NTC group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=10.014, 10.518, 4.418 and 19.016; all P<0.05). The proportion of sensation of anorectal blockage of OOC group was higher than that of STC and mixed group, and the proportion of hand-assisted defecation was higher than that of the mixed and NTC group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2= 9.511, 5.486, 10.948 and 4.363, all P<0.05). The incidence of HAPC in STC, OOC, mixed and NTC groups was 39.8% (43/108), 36.1% (13/36), 57.1% (16/28), and 60.4% (32/53), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=8.880, P=0.031). The incidence of HAPC in STC group and OOC group were lower than that of NTC group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2=6.041 and 5.050, P=0.014 and 0.025). There were no statistically significant difference in the frequency, average velocity, average amplitude, average duration of contraction, average length of contraction and DI of pressure of HAPC in four groups, and there were no statistically significant difference in the frequency, average amplitude, average duration of contraction, and DI of pressure of LAPC in the four groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Doctors can more clearly and objectively observe the intestinal motility characteristics of patients with different subtypes of constipation through HRCM. HRCM provides a strong basis for the diagnosis and further treatment of functional constipation, and has a high clinical application value.

The cyclic motor patterns in the human colon.

BACKGROUND: High-resolution colonic manometry gives an unprecedented window into motor patterns of the human colon. Our objective was to characterize motor activities throughout the entire colon that possessed persistent rhythmicity and spanning at least 5 cm. METHODS: High-resolution colonic manometry using an 84-channel water-perfused catheter was performed in 19 healthy volunteers. Rhythmic activity was assessed during baseline, proximal balloon distention, meal, and bisacodyl administration. KEY RESULTS: Throughout the entire colon, a cyclic motor pattern occurred either in isolation or following a high-amplitude propagating pressure wave (HAPW), consisting of clusters of pressure waves at a frequency centered on 11-13 cycles/min, unrelated to breathing. The cluster duration was 1-6 minutes; the pressure waves traveled for 8-27 cm, lasting 5-8 seconds. The clusters itself could be rhythmic at 0.5-2 cpm. The propagation direction of the individual pressure waves was mixed with >50% occurring simultaneous. This high-frequency cyclic motor pattern co-existed with the well-known low-frequency cyclic motor pattern centered on 3-4 cpm. In the rectum, the low-frequency cyclic motor pattern dominated, propagating predominantly in retrograde direction. Proximal balloon distention, a meal and bisacodyl administration induced HAPWs followed by cyclic motor patterns. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: Within cyclic motor patterns, retrograde propagating, low-frequency pressure waves dominate in the rectum, likely keeping the rectum empty; and mixed propagation, high-frequency pressure waves dominate in the colon, likely promoting absorption and storage, hence contributing to continence. Propagation and frequency characteristics are likely determined by network properties of the interstitial cells of Cajal.

On the nature of high-amplitude propagating pressure waves in the human colon.

Characterization of high-amplitude propagating pressure waves (HAPWs or HAPCs) plays a key role in diagnosis of colon dysmotility using any type of colonic manometry. With the introduction of high-resolution manometry, more insight is gained into this most prominent propulsive motor pattern. Here, we use a water-perfused catheter with 84 sensors with intervals between measuring points of 1 cm throughout the colon, for 6-8 h, in 19 healthy subjects. The catheter contained a balloon to evoke distention. We explored as stimuli a meal, balloon distention, oral prucalopride, and bisacodyl injection, with a goal to optimally evoke HAPWs. We developed a quantitative measure of HAPW activity, the "HAPW Index." Our protocol elicited 290 HAPWs. 21% of HAPWs were confined to the proximal colon with an average amplitude of 75.3 ± 3.3 mmHg and an average HAPW Index of 440 ± 58 mmHg·m·s. 29% of HAPWs started in the proximal colon and ended in the transverse or descending colon, with an average amplitude of 87.9 ± 3.1 mmHg and an average HAPW Index of 3,344 ± 356 mmHg·m·s. Forty-nine percent of HAPWs started and ended in the transverse or descending colon with an average amplitude of 109.3 ± 3.3 mmHg and an average HAPW Index of 2,071 ± 195 mmHg·m·s. HAPWs with and without simultaneous pressure waves (SPWs) initiated the colo-anal reflex, often abolishing 100% of anal sphincter pressure. Rectal bisacodyl and proximal balloon distention were the most optimal stimuli to evoke HAPWs. These measures now allow for a confident diagnosis of abnormal motility in patients with colonic motor dysfunction.NEW & NOTEWORTHY High-amplitude propagating pressure waves (HAPWs) were characterized using 84 sensors throughout the entire colon in healthy subjects, taking note of site of origin, site of termination, amplitude, and velocity, and to identify optimal stimuli to evoke HAPWs. Three categories of HAPWs were identified, including the associated colo-anal reflex. Proximal balloon distention and rectal bisacodyl were recognized as reliable stimuli for evoking HAPWs, and a HAPW Index was devised to quantify this essential colonic motor pattern.

High-resolution colonic manometry and its clinical application in patients with colonic dysmotility: A review.

The detailed process and mechanism of colonic motility are still unclear, and colonic motility disorders are associated with numerous clinical diseases. Colonic manometry is considered to the most direct means of evaluating colonic peristalsis. Colonic manometry has been studied for more than 30 years; however, the long duration of the examination, high risk of catheterization, huge amount of real-time data, strict catheter sterilization, and high cost of disposable equipment restrict its wide application in clinical practice. Recently, high-resolution colonic manometry (HRCM) has rapidly developed into a major technique for obtaining more effective information involved in the physiology and/or pathophysiology of colonic contractile activity in colonic dysmotility patients. This review focuses on colonic motility, manometry, operation, and motor patterns, and the clinical application of HRCM. Furthermore, the limitations, future directions, and potential usefulness of HRCM in the evaluation of clinical treatment effects are also discussed.

Preservation of the colo-anal reflex in colonic transection and post-operative Hirschsprung's disease: Potential extrinsic neural pathway.

BACKGROUND: The colo-anal reflex is a distinct reflex whereby the internal anal sphincter (IAS) relaxes in association with colonic high amplitude propagating contractions (HAPCs) in contrast to the recto-anal inhibitory reflex (RAIR), which is characterized by IAS relaxation upon rectal distension. The RAIR is mediated by the myenteric plexus and therefore absent in Hirschsprung disease. We retrospectively assessed the presence and the characteristics of the colo-anal reflex in children in whom large bowel continuity had been surgically disrupted to assess the role of the extrinsic nervous system in the reflex. METHODS: High-resolution (HR) colonic manometry and HR-anorectal manometry were used to evaluate both colonic and anal motor activity in ten children with treatment-unresponsive slow transit constipation (STC), who had previously undergone left-sided colostomy formation with consequent disruption of the bowel continuity, and in two children with Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR), who had previously undergone distal colon resection followed by Duhamel pull-through. Eight children with STC, normal colonic motor activity, and preserved large bowel continuity served as a control group. The presence and characteristics of colo-anal reflex were analyzed. KEY RESULTS: In the study group, all patients showed the presence of both normal HAPCs and the presence of the colo-anal reflex. In two cases of HSCR, RAIR was absent; however, both patients demonstrated a colo-anal reflex. CONCLUSIONS: In children with disrupted continuity of the colon and/or abnormal anal reflex, the colo-anal reflex is still preserved suggesting that it is mediated by a different pathway from the RAIR, possibly an extrinsic neural pathway.