Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Jun 21, 2011; 17(23): 2844-2847
Published online Jun 21, 2011. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v17.i23.2844
Factors influencing lower esophageal sphincter relaxation after deglutition
Lita Tibbling, Per Gezelius, Thomas Franzén
Lita Tibbling, Thomas Franzén, Department of Surgery, University of Linköping, SE-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
Per Gezelius, Department of Surgery, University of Linköping, SE-581 85; SynMed, SE-117 43 Stockholm, Sweden
Author contributions: Tibbling L, Gezelius P and Franzén T contributed equally to this work; Tibbling L and Franzén T participated in the development, implementation and management of this project and were involved in drafting the manuscript; Gezelius P participated in the analysis of the high-resolution manometry readings and in drafting this part of the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Thomas Franzén, Department of Surgery, Linköping University Hospital, SE 581 85 Linköping, Sweden. thomas.franzen@lio.se
Telephone: +46-10-1030000 Fax: +46-10-1043216
Received: December 1, 2010
Revised: March 1, 2011
Accepted: March 8, 2011
Published online: June 21, 2011
Abstract

AIM: To study the relationship between upper esophageal sphincter (UES) relaxation, peristaltic pressure and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation following deglutition in non-dysphagic subjects.

METHODS: Ten non-dysphagic adult subjects had a high-resolution manometry probe passed transnasally and positioned to cover the UES, the esophageal body and the LES. Ten water swallows in each subject were analyzed for time lag between UES relaxation and LES relaxation, LES pressure at time of UES relaxation, duration of LES relaxation, the distance between the transition level (TL) and the LES, time in seconds that the peristaltic wave was before (negative value) or after the TL when the LES became relaxed, and the maximal peristaltic pressure in the body of the esophagus.

RESULTS: Relaxation of the LES occurred on average 3.5 s after the bolus had passed the UES and in most cases when the peristaltic wave front had reached the TL. The LES remained relaxed until the peristaltic wave faded away above the LES.

CONCLUSION: LES relaxation seemed to be caused by the peristaltic wave pushing the bolus from behind against the LES gate.

Keywords: Deglutition, Lower esophageal sphincter, Peristalsis, Relaxation, Upper esophageal sphincter