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balloon expulsion test
Indications:
- assessment of defecation
- evaluation of constipation, pelvic floor dyssynergia [1]
Procedure:
- simple, inexpensive bedside procedure [1]
- test requires a latex balloon attached to a catheter with a water-filled syringe to inflate the balloon
- 1 or 2 cleansing enemas several hours before the procedure recommended for hygiene reasons, but not essential
- patient initially placed in a left lateral decubitus position with flexion of the knees & hips
- lubricated empty balloon is inserted into the rectum, inflated typically with 50 mL of water, or until the patient feels the urge to defecate
- patient is then attempts to evacuate the balloon in a sitting position in privacy [1]
Interpretation:
- most normal subjects can expel the balloon within 1 minute
General
clinical procedure
References
- Lee BE, Kim GH.
How to perform and interpret balloon expulsion test.
J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2014 Jul 31;20(3):407-9.
PMID: 24948132 Free PMC Article