Gastric myoelectric function had been investigated by electrogastrography (EGG) obtained mainly using single channel recordings. However, the clinical significance of parameters such as %normal and % slow wave coupling (%SWC) obtained in the multichannel electrogastrography (M-EGG) are few. Attempts were made to examine the clinical significance of these parameters obtained by the M-EGG, by comparing the data obtained in the ¹³C-acetate breath test. Experiments were carried out in 13 healthy volunteers, 2 patients with gastric cancer, 3 patients performed local resection of Cardia (LES/vagus nerve preservation), and one patient with a gastric ulcer. Recording M-EGG was carried out in a supine position. Fasting M-EGG was recorded for 20 minutes, followed by an ingestion of Racol^® for 200 mL, and then two consecutive 90 minutes postprandial recordings of M-EGG and ¹³C-acetate breath test were performed. The %normal by the M-EGG of ch1 was correlated with T1/2 (r=−0.49, P=0.02) and Tlag obtained by the ¹³C-acetate breath test (r=−0.48, P=0.04). The %SWC values between all channels obtained in the M-EGG were correlated with both T1/2 and Tlag. The %SWC values between all channels were correlated with gastric emptying coefficient (GEC). These results suggested that %normal and %SWC were good indicators to express the gastric motility. It is concluded that the M-EGG is a non-invasive test for the gastric myoelectric function, and reflects actual activities. Thus, it is proposed that the M-EGG is a useful tool for the clinical examination of gastric functions.

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