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Related Experiment Videos

Deflation reflex: description and clinical significance

A Shafik1

  • 1Department of Surgery and Experimental Research, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.

The Anatomical Record
|February 12, 1998
PubMed
Summary

The external anal sphincter exhibits a dual contraction response to rectal distension, contracting upon both inflation and deflation. This newly identified deflation reflex may aid in diagnosing defecation disorders.

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Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • The defecation mechanism involves complex neuromuscular control.
  • The external anal sphincter's role in rectal distension reflexes is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the external anal sphincter's response to rectal inflation and deflation.
  • To determine the clinical significance of observed reflex responses in defecation.

Main Methods:

  • Rectal catheterization and rectal distension in 16 healthy volunteers.
  • Electromyography (EMG) of the external anal sphincter using a concentric needle electrode.
  • Assessment of reflex responses after xylocaine or saline infiltration of the sphincter.

Main Results:

  • The external anal sphincter demonstrated biphasic contraction upon rectal distension (inflation and deflation).
  • Rectal inflation influenced contraction amplitude and latency, while deflation did not.
  • Sphincter response was abolished by xylocaine but preserved after saline infiltration.

Conclusions:

  • A novel rectal deflation reflex in the external anal sphincter was identified.
  • This deflation reflex likely serves to interrupt or terminate defecation.
  • The reflex may have diagnostic utility for various defecation disorders.

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