Manometry: technical issues

Contractility patterns and gastrointestinal movements monitored by a combined magnetic tracking and motility testing unit

BACKGROUND

Ingestible wireless capsules, including the 3D-transit magnetic capsule and the wireless motility capsule (WMC), describe gastrointestinal (GI) motility from changes in position or pressure. This study aimed to combine information on contractile events in terms of position (assessed with the 3D-transit) and change in pressure (assessed with the WMC) throughout the entire GI tract.

METHODS

The 3D-transit capsule and WMC were combined into a single-wireless unit system. Three-dimensional space-time coordinates, pressure, and pH data from a pilot case were analyzed as the combined unit passed the GI tract. Two single and three continuous contraction patterns were defined according to pressure changes and quantified through the GI tract.

KEY RESULTS

The combined unit was well tolerated and provided information on contractions throughout the gut. Single contraction patterns with no significant progressive movement of the unit were most prevalent in the stomach and the rectosigmoid colon. During the continuous contraction patterns, the unit moved in an antegrade or retrograde direction. Longer distance and higher velocity were seen during antegrade than during retrograde movements. The motility indices (as measured with WMC) in combined ascending, transverse and descending colon showed a positive linear association (r = 0.7) to the capsule movements (as measured with 3D-transit).

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

The combined system provides synchronous information about movements and gut contractions. These measurements can be used to extract more information from existing recordings and may enhance our understanding of GI motility in health and disease.

Comparison of the efficiencies of esophageal manometry, vector volume analysis and esophagus pH monitoring in the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux

AIM

In this study, we aimed to compare the superiorities of esophageal manometry, vector volume analysis and 24-hour pH meter studies in showing gastroesophageal reflux disease.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The files of the patients who presented to pediatric surgery and pediatric gastroenterology outpatient clinics of our hospital with suspicious gastroesophageal reflux disease between 2011 and 2012 and who were investigated were examined and 21 patients whose investigations had been completed were included in the study. The patients were evaluated by treatment method and were divided into three groups as Group 1 who were followed up with medical treatment, Group 2 in whom surgical intervention was performed and Group 3 who were not treated. Chi-square test was used in evaluation of the categorical variables, Kruskal Wallis test was used in comparison of the mean values between the groups and Dunn test was used in subgroup analyses when Kruskal Wallis test was found to be significant. A p value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS

Thirteen of 21 patients included in the study were female and eight were male. The mean age of the patients was 5.71 years (one-16 years). In the 24-hour pH monitoring study, the mean reflux index was found to be 48.7% in Group 1, 42.4% in Group 2 and 28.3% in Group 3. In esophageal manometry studies, the pressure difference at lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was found to be 13,4 cm H2O in Group 1, 31.8 cm H2O in Group 2 and 4.3 cmH2O in Group 3. In vector volume analyses, the mean vector volume was calculated to be 96.01 cm(3) in Group 1, 2 398.9 cm(3) in Group 2 and 196.3 cm(3) in Group 3. In the 24-hour pH monitoring study, a statistically significant difference (p<0.05) was found in terms of showing reflux, whereas statistical significance could not be shown in terms of need for surgical treatment or need for medical treatment in any other method (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Twenty-four-hour pH monitoring was found to be efficient in making a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease, whereas esophageal manometry and vector volume analyses were not found to be efficient.

Achalasia

This article reviews the diagnosis and treatment of achalasia, a rare esophageal motility disorder characterized by absent peristalsis and failure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) to relax. Various treatment options including management with sublingual nitrates or calcium channel blockers, injection of the LES with botulism toxin, pneumatic dilation of the LES, and pneumatic dilation are discussed. Laparoscopic Heller myotomy is minimally invasive with incumbent low morbidity and mortality rates, and combined with a partial fundoplication is a durable, safe, and effective treatment option for patients with achalasia.

Antireflux transoral incisionless fundoplication using EsophyX: 12-month results of a prospective multicenter study

Background

A novel transoral incisionless fundoplication (TIF) procedure using the EsophyX system with SerosaFuse fasteners was designed to reconstruct a full-thickness valve at the gastroesophageal junction through tailored delivery of multiple fasteners during a single-device insertion. The safety and efficacy of TIF for treating gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were evaluated in a prospective multicenter trial.

Methods

Patients (n = 86) with chronic GERD treated with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) were enrolled. Exclusion criteria included an irreducible hiatal hernia > 2 cm.

Results

The TIF procedure (n = 84) reduced all hiatal hernias (n = 49) and constructed valves measuring 4 cm (2–6 cm) and 230° (160°–300°). Serious adverse events consisted of two esophageal perforations upon device insertion and one case of postoperative intraluminal bleeding. Other adverse events were mild and transient. At 12 months, aggregate (n = 79) and stratified Hill grade I tight (n = 21) results showed 73% and 86% of patients with ≥50% improvement in GERD health-related quality of life (HRQL) scores, 85% discontinuation of daily PPI use, and 81% complete cessation of PPIs; 37% and 48% normalization of esophageal acid exposure; 60% and 89% hiatal hernia reduction; and 62% and 80% esophagitis reduction, respectively. More than 50% of patients with Hill grade I tight valves had a normalized cardia circumference. Resting pressure of the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) was improved significantly (p < 0.001), by 53%. EsophyX-TIF cured GERD in 56% of patients based on their symptom reduction and PPI discontinuation.

Conclusion

The 12-month results showed that EsophyX-TIF was safe and effective in improving quality of life and for reducing symptoms, PPI use, hiatal hernia, and esophagitis, as well as increasing the LES resting pressure and normalizing esophageal pH and cardia circumference in chronic GERD patients.