The test requires a placement of a special manometry catheter - a small tube 0.1 inches in diameter into your bottom and around your colon (large intestine). Typically, you will be admitted to the hospital for three days:
Day 1: You will have a clean out for a colonoscopy
Day 2: You will have a colonoscopy in order to place a colonic catheter (tube). After catheter placement, you are transferred to a hospital ward and to rest for the night.
Day 3: The catheter (tube) will be connected to a computer that records how the large intestine muscles squeeze the tube. You may feel like you need to poop. During the study we will record squeezing of muscles in your large intestine first during fasting, and later after eating. The test typically takes 6 hours but may take longer.
Some reasons why you may need a Colonic manometry:
- Severe constipation
- Concerns that your colon is not moving properly
What happens before and after the test?
Before the test, you are not supposed to eat or drink anything as this can cause problems with the medicines used to help you to stay relaxed during the test and may affect correct measurements during manometry. Please ask your doctor whether you should stop taking any current medications in advance before the test.
After the test, the tube is easily pulled out. Once the procedure concludes and the tube is pulled, you can go home.
After the test, if you have any of these symptoms, call your doctor or go to the Emergency Department:
- Tummy pain for more than an hour. Most patients feel fine after the test.
- Throwing up several times. To make sure this isn’t a problem, try to drink small amounts of drinks like Sprite or ginger ale, or eat a little bit of popsicle.
- Bleeding. Passing small amounts of blood (less than a spoonful) may be normal for 1-2 days, but if it is more than that or it continues let your doctor know.
- Fevers. If there are persistent fevers, let your doctor know.
