[Electromyographic profile of the human jejunum after abdominal surgery]

The purpose of this work was to describe the electromyographical profile of the jejunum observed after various types of abdominal operations. The electromyogram of the first 140 centimeters of the small intestine was recorded on a continuous basis by an intraluminal tube between the 6th and 20th day after abdominal surgery in twenty patients. Results allow us to describe a profile of the patient's intestinal electromyogram after abdominal surgery. It was characterized by three consecutive periods: a) early reappearance of migrating myoelectric complexes occurring during the first period; b) a very short second period beginning immediately before the expulsion of gases; during this period the electrical activity fluctuated and appeared disorganised; c) finally, during the third period, after gas expulsion, peristaltic rushes were associated with normalized migrating myoelectrical complexes. Both early and permanent migrating myoelectrical complexes characterize the normal postoperative period. Continuous linear integration of the jejunal electromyogram might be a useful tool for the monitoring of postoperative intestinal motility as a routine procedure.