Lateral-hole catheters compared with shielded-hole catheter systems in oesophageal manometry

Water-filled catheters with lateral holes in the distal ends are frequently used in oesophageal manometry. However, the outward position of the recording holes makes mucosal interference a possible risk. A pilot study of oesophageal manometry was performed in five healthy volunteers comparing a conventional lateral-hole catheter with the orifices directed to the centre of the catheter bundle, protected from the mucosa. The centre-hole catheter curves showed a lower resting pressure in the upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) showed a lower resting pressure in the upper oesophageal sphincter (UOS) and a more rapid decline of the UOS peristaltic wave. The motility curves of the oesophageal body were identical with both catheters.