Comparison of simultaneous recordings of human colonic contractions by manometry and a barostat

Our hypothesis was that manometry in the colon was less sensitive than the electronic barostat in detection of colonic contractions. In ten healthy volunteers, we have characterised the pressure activity and tone of the colon by means of combined multilumen manometry and a barostatic balloon that was infinitely compliant, conformed to the colon's inner wall, and was clamped at a constant ‘operating’ pressure throughout the study. A computer...