[Are intraluminal electrodes reliable for recording myoelectric activity of the small intestine?]

In humans except for the postoperative state, electromyographic activity of the small bowel can only be recorded with intraluminal electrodes. The aim of this study was to validate the use of intraluminal electrodes in pigs by comparing the signal recorded from such electrodes to those recorded with surgically implanted electrodes. A polyethylene probe equipped with bipolar ring-shaped electrodes was placed in the lumen of the proximal jejunum of 6 pigs, at the same level as intramuscular implanted electrodes. The signals were recorded in conscious pigs fed normally. By comparison to the myoelectric activity recorded from the intramuscular implanted electrodes, the intraluminal electrodes provided reliable spike burst detection (sensitivity 85 p. 100; positive predictive value 91 p. 100) in the fasted and fed state, and good identification of migrating myoelectric complexes. Spectral analysis showed the same frequency patterns for signals obtained with both types of electrodes. In conclusion, intraluminal ring-shaped electrodes allow reliable detection of small bowel myoelectric activity and may represent a useful tool for motility studies in man.