balloon expulsion test

^[1]

Indications

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]

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 ^1.3 Lee BE, Kim GH. How to perform and interpret balloon expulsion test. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2014 Jul 31;20(3):407-9. PMID: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24948132 Free PMC Article