Abstract

LESLIE, Niño  and  LOUIS, Cesar. Tránsito colónico en individuos sanos. Gen [online]. 2010, vol.64, n.3, pp.165-169. ISSN 0016-3503.

The colonic transit is the objective measurement of the time lag in the intestinal contents through the colon and represents an important advancement in the evaluation of patients with intestinal disorders of habit. Problem: normal colonic transit (CT). Objective: To determine normal values of CT in healthy volunteers in the city of Caracas. Headquarters: Hospital Universitario de Caracas (HUC). Type of Study, Population and Sample: A descriptive cross-functional study; 8Fr (2.7mm) metal rings were used as radiopaque markers, placed into gelatin capsules of 00 long (24 rings / capsule), 30 healthy volunteers, medical and nursing staff of HCU, aged between 18 and 50 years, matched by gender were randomly taken: 15 male and 15 female. A simple abdominal radiography was performed on dorsal decubitus position at 72, 96 and 120 hours after ingesting the capsule, quantifying the amount of markers removed. For the analysis of the results we used the nonparametric Mann-Whitney U test, with a significance level of 95%. No changes were made in the diet during the study. Results: 21 volunteers (70%) evacuated more than 80% of the radiopaque markers at 96 hours. 20% (6 volunteers) reported the total elimination of the markers prior to 96 hours. Conclusions: 70% eliminated over 80% of the markers of the CT at 96 hours. No statistically significant differences were found between age groups or gender. The values obtained are below the ones accepted as normal, reported in the literature (80% elimination of the markers before the 120 hours) and higher compared to a similar Mexican study (80% elimination of the markers at 48 hours).

Keywords : colonic transit; normal values; radiopaque markers.