Normal oesophageal manometric values in healthy adult volunteers.

AIMS To study the oesophageal pressures in normal Pakistani subjects using oesophageal manometry and compare the results from the studies done abroad. SETTING Ziauddin Medical University Hospital, North Nazimabad Karachi. SUBJECTS Twenty-five healthy subjects were studied. RESULTS Of 25 subjects 19 were males and 6 females. Their ages ranged from 14 to 67 years with a mean age of 41+16 years. The mean resting pressure of the lower oesophageal sphincter was 13.43+/-7.1 mm Hg and relaxation was 96+/-4.1%, with a residual pressure of 0.74+/-1.2 mm Hg. Peristaltic amplitude of the oesophageal body was highest at the lower end of the oesophagus both for dry and wet swallows, the values being 56.23+/-7.9 mm Hg and 74.28+/-35.8 mm Hg respectively. Distal oesophageal peristaltic amplitude was 54.18+/-18.6 and 70.91+/-24.3 mm Hg for dry and wet swallows respectively. Duration of the peristalsis was lowest at the upper end of the oesophagus both for dry and wet swallows being 3.48+/-0.88 and 3.5+/-1.3 seconds respectively. Highest duration of peristaltic amplitude was noted at the lower end of the oesophagus, i.e. 4.43 seconds both for dry and wet swallows. The speed of progression of the peristaltic waves at the proximal end was 2.64+/-1.3 cms / sec and at the distal end 3.37+/-1.6 cms / sec. Mean resting pressure of the upper oesophageal sphincter was 49.84+/-22.4 mm Hg. Residual pressure was 5.2 +/-9.3 mm Hg. CONCLUSION The results of this study are in accordance with the results reported from abroad.