Characterization of distal colonic motility in early postoperative period and effect of colonic anastomosis

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Abstract
Under standardized conditions, the manometric motility of the distal colon following rectosigmoid anastomosis (N=11, median age 70 years, range 47–80), was compared to that following laparotomies not involving colonic anastomosis (N=9, 56 years, 32–65). Microtransducer probes were inserted peroperatively and colonic activity recorded continuously (median 96 hr, range 48–109 anastomotic and 75 hr, range 46–107 control group) employing an ambulatory system. Quantitative indices of motility were calculated with an automated analysis program. Total postoperative analgesic doses and duration of surgery were similar in both groups. The first return in the anastomotic group of isolated waveforms [median 1.8 hr, interquartile range (IQR) 1–3] and propagated waves (92 hr, 79–100), was comparable to the control group (4 hr, 1.8–7, and 73 hr, 72–101, respectively). Motor complexes, characterized by bursts of regular contractile activity at 3–5 cpm, returned faster in the control group (3 hr, 2–24 vs 24 hr, 19–30,PPP=0.05). The presence of a left-sided colonic anastomosis has a major inhibitory effect on distal colonic motility, compared to nonanastomotic surgery of similar severity, in the early postoperative period.