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Colonic Manometry

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Ano-Rectal Endosonography and Manometry in Paediatrics

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Abstract

The colon serves to absorb water and electrolytes, salvage nutrients after bacterial metabolism of carbohydrates, and store intraluminal contents until elimination is socially convenient. These fundamental functions are inextricably dependent on a normal colon’s motor activity. Although there is still limited knowledge about the normal motor patterns, it is clear that altered colonic motility interferes with the colon’s physiological functions and results in gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation.

Colonic manometry provides a direct method for assessing the colon’s neuromuscular integrity by measuring intraluminal pressures and coordination of the colonic muscle pressure activity and has greatly enhanced our knowledge of colonic motor physiology and pathophysiology of constipation.

Even though primarily restricted to specialized centers, colonic manometry should be considered an essential diagnostic tool to guide the management of children with intractable constipation, mainly when surgical intervention is being considered.

This chapter summarizes the recent advances in colonic manometry, including indications and preparation for the study and how to perform and interpret the test in children.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Digestive Endoscopy and Surgery Unit, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy

    Renato Tambucci

  2. Division of Neurogastroenterology & Motility, Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK

    Osvaldo Borrelli

Authors
  1. Renato Tambucci
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  2. Osvaldo Borrelli
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Correspondence to Renato Tambucci .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pediatric Surgery Unit, IRCCS Sant’Orsola University-Hospital University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Mario Lima

  2. Pediatric Surgery Unit, IRCCS Sant’Orsola University-Hospital University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy

    Giovanni Ruggeri

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Tambucci, R., Borrelli, O. (2022). Colonic Manometry. In: Lima, M., Ruggeri, G. (eds) Ano-Rectal Endosonography and Manometry in Paediatrics. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97668-2_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-97668-2_7

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  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-97667-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-97668-2

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