A method for the analysis of intestinal motility records

Abstract

T h e quali tat ive analysis has been usually carried out by dividing the waves of intestinal contraction into T y p e I and Type I I I . 1, 2 Type I designates simple monophasic waves with an ampl i tude of 3-75 cm. of water, and a dura t ion of 2.5-7.5 sec. Type I I I waves are complex, consisting of an elevation of the base-line pressure, with or wi thout superimposed Type I waves. Th is method of analysis was introduced for moti l i ty records made by means of a balloon system. In t ra lumina l pressure measurements using open-tip catheters did not always permit such a distinction. 3 Tex te r and associates classify the intra luminal pressure waves as Types A (phasic) and B (tonic), T y p e A having a dura t ion of less than 30 sec., and T y p e B, more than 30 sec. Fink 4 confirms the existence of Types I and I I I waves. According to Besan~on, this distinction is not essential. 5 T h e problem may remain unsettled until more is known about the physiological significance and function of these intraluminal pressure changes. Electromyographic studies suggest there is but one basic type of intestinal contraction.~ T h e elevation of the base-line pressure of the T y p e I I I wave might be due to the fact that, at times, the annular contractions originate so close to one another that they are recorded by the same open-t ip catheter. I t is also possible that, dur ing a T y p e I I I wave, the contractions extend over a larger intestinal segment or have a longer durat ion. 6