On-line quantitative analysis of surface electromyography of the pelvic floor in patients with faecal incontinence.

BACKGROUND

Needle electromyography (EMG) remains the 'gold standard' for the assessment of external anal sphincter innervation. It is, however, an invasive and poorly tolerated technique. In this study a quantitative form of surface electromyography was compared with needle EMG of the external anal sphincter.

METHODS

Invasive needle EMG to assess mean fibre density and neuromuscular jitter was compared directly with quantitative surface EMG in 37 patients with faecal incontinence and 12 age-matched controls.

RESULTS

There was a significant positive correlation between mean fibre density on needle EMG and maximum turns rate on surface EMG (rs = 0.48 (95 per cent confidence interval 0.28-0.76), P = 0.003). Furthermore, surface EMG was able to discriminate between patients with normal neuromuscular jitter and those with increased jitter, a measure of progressive denervation and reinnervation, on the basis of reduced rectified mean surface signal (P = 0.02, Fisher's exact test).

CONCLUSION

Quantitative surface EMG may potentially replace invasive needle EMG as the investigation of choice in the assessment of anal sphincter electrophysiology.