Background We evaluated the change on colon manometry (CM) parameters and interpretation comparing results when the study is performed the same day after the motility catheter is placed under anesthesia or the following day. Methods CM catheter was placed with colonoscopy under anesthesia and recorded on day 1 and repeated on day 2. Study parameters including motility index (MI) during fasting, post-prandial and post-Bisacodyl challenge phase; gastrocolonic response; number, presence and propagation of high amplitude propagating contractions (HAPCs); and, study interpretation were compared between both days. Key Results MI (fasting, post-Bisacodyl phase, p<0.05), HAPC number (10.1 vs. 6.6, p=0.01) and proportion of patients having HAPCs (92% vs. 70%, p=0.002) was significantly higher on day 2 vs. day 1. HAPC propagation improved on day 2 vs. day 1 (fully propagated, 49% vs. 37%; partially propagated, 43% vs. 33%; absent 8% vs. 30%). Study interpretation changed from day 1 to day 2. On day 1, 37% had a normal study and 63% had an abnormal study. On day 2, all patients with a normal study on day 1 remained normal, and patients with an abnormal study on day 1, 53% remained abnormal and 47% had a normal study. Conclusions & Inferences CM parameters are affected the day catheter is placed with colonoscopy under anesthesia. The number, presence and propagation of HAPCs was significantly higher/improved on day 2 compared to day 1. Overall, CM interpretation changed from abnormal to normal from day 1 to day 2 in 47% of the patients.

Background: The wireless motility capsule (WMC) evaluates gastrointestinal motility and transit simultaneously. We evaluated the utility of the WMC in children with functional gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods: Study in children comparing WMC transit and motility parameters between those with upper (UGI) or lower (LGI) gastrointestinal symptoms, nuclear medicine gastric emptying time (NMGET) and/or a colonic radiopaque marker (CROM) study. Key Results: We prospectively recruited 57 children (median age 16.45y, range 8.78-17.8y, 44 Female) and 50 completed the study (24 UGI/26 LGI). We found no association between WMC study interpretation, motility and transit parameters and symptoms. WMC and NMGET interpretation agreement observed in 24/34 (70%) (κ = 0.351, p = 0.026) and with CROM in 17/21 (81%) patients (κ = 0.576, p = 0.007). WMC detected abnormal gastric transit in 41% vs. 24% with NMGET (p = 0.04) and abnormal colon transit in 62% vs. 71% of patients by CROM (p = 0.01). We found significant correlation (r = 0.574, p = 0.01) and no difference in median colon transit (p = 0.421) by WMC and CROM. A single WMC motility parameter, mean peak amplitude, was associated with NMGET (p = 0.04), none with CROM. Capsule retention >5 days (n = 9, all passed <2 weeks) was associated with prolonged colon transit, not with symptoms, age and gender. Conclusions: WMC is well tolerated in children as young as 8 years old. We found no association between WMC and symptoms, fair agreement with NMGET and strong agreement with CROM. WMC increases the yield of finding gastrointestinal transit abnormalities. Capsule retention in children is associated to prolonged colon transit. Larger studies are needed to further validate these findings.

Bisacodyl is a stimulant laxative often used in manometric studies of pediatric constipation to determine if it can initiate propulsive high amplitude propagating contractions. While the effects of bisacodyl infusion on colonic motility are well described, the effects of the drug on other regions of the gut after colonic infusion are not known. The aim of the present study was to characterize the effects of bisacodyl on both colonic and small bowel motility. Methods. Twenty seven children (9.3 + 1.2 years) undergoing simultaneous high resolution antroduodenal and colonic manometry were included. Small bowel and colonic motor patterns were assessed prior to and after colonic infusion of bisacodyl. Patients were divided into 2 groups; responders and non-responders based on the presence of high amplitude propagating contractions (HAPC) after bisacodyl infusion. Results. Nineteen patients were responders. 188 post-bisacodyl HAPCs were identified with a mean count of 10.4 ± 5.5 (range, 3 -22), at a frequency of 0.6 ± 0.2/min and mean amplitude of 119.8 ± 23.6 mmHg.No motor patterns were induced in the small bowel. However, in the 19 responders the onset of HAPCs was associated with a significant decrease in small bowel contractile activity. In the non-responders there was no detectable change in small bowel motility after bisacodyl infusion. Conclusion. Bisacodyl induced HAPCs are associated with a significant reduction in small bowel motility probably mediated by extrinsic sympathetic reflex pathways. This inhibition is potentially related to rectal distension, caused by the HAPC anal propulsion of colonic content.