A rapid pull-through technique for measuring lower esophageal sphincter pressure

Abstract

Because disadvantages are inherent in the conventional station pull-through technique (SPT) currently used for recording lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP), a more suitable recording method is needed. In study, we evaluated a rapid pull-through technique (RPT) for recording LESP and compared the results with those obtained by SPT. The RPT features rapid withdrawal of recording sensors across the LES during a 10- to 20-sec interval of suspended respiration. This method avoids recording "artifact" caused by respiratory LES motion and provides precise end points for scoring and measurement. In 12 normal subjects, LESP measured by RPT (24.3 plus or minus 0.5 mm Hg) was comparable, but significantly greater, than LESP measured by SPT (21.1 plus or minus 9.1 mm Hg). Analysis of LESP scores for the two recording methods revealed that both intraobserver and interobserver error were substantially less for RPT than SPT (P less than or equal to 0.01). Further correlation of LESP between studies was greater for the RPT than the SPT recording method. We conclude that RPT represents a convenient method for recording LESP which is easier to perform and yields more reproducible values than LESP recording by SPT.