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. 1993 Dec;218(6):761–768. doi: 10.1097/00000658-199312000-00010

Rectal wall contractility in healthy subjects and in patients with chronic severe constipation.

R L Grotz 1, J H Pemberton 1, K E Levin 1, A M Bell 1, R B Hanson 1
PMCID: PMC1243072  PMID: 8257226

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify differences in rectal wall contractility between healthy volunteers and patients with chronic severe constipation. SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA: Whether motor function of the rectum contributes to slow-transit constipation is unknown. Measurements of rectal contractility have been performed traditionally with perfused catheters or microtransducers. The rectal barostat is a new technique that quantifies the volume of air within an infinitely compliant intrarectal bag maintained at constant pressure; decreases in bag volume therefore reflect increases in rectal muscular contractility (tone). Increases in volume reflect decreased contractility. METHODS: Fifteen healthy volunteers (ten women and five men; mean age, 36 years) and eight patients (seven women and one man; mean age, 44 years) were studied. Barostat recordings were made for 1 hour before and after a meal. Randomly, neostigmine (0.5 mg) or glucagon (1 unit) was then given intravenously. After 1 hour, the other medication was given. RESULTS: The fasting rectal volume was similar in the patient and control groups (113 +/- 7 mL vs. 103 +/- 4 mL, respectively; p > 0.05). Compared with controls, constipated patients had a significantly lower reduction in rectal volume after a meal (constipated, 35 +/- 8% vs. controls, 65 +/- 7%; p < 0.05) and after neostigmine administration (constipated, 39 +/- 6% vs. controls, 58 +/- 6%; p < 0.05). Moreover, constipated patients had a smaller increase in rectal volume after glucagon administration than did controls (28 +/- 6% vs. 64 +/- 18%, respectively; p < 0.05. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in rectal wall contractility in response to feeding, a cholinergic agonist, and a smooth muscle relaxant were decreased in constipated patients. These findings suggest that an abnormality of rectal muscular wall contractility is present in constipated patients.

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Selected References

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