Colchicine for persistent constipation after total abdominal colectomy with ileorectostomy for colonic inertia

Severe constipation caused by colonic inertia may be associated with a generalized gastrointestinal dysmotility syndrome. Patients with severe constipation pose a significant challenge in terms of management. Failure of medical therapy usually leads to surgery in the form of a subtotal colectomy. Most patients develop diarrhea after the surgery, but a subgroup of patients continue to experience constipation. We report the case of such a patient who underwent a total abdominal colectomy and ileorectostomy for intractable constipation. He continued to have constipation after the surgery that was responsive only to a gallon of bowel-cleansing solution. A treatment trial of colchicine was partially unsuccessful when used on its own, but a combination of colchicine and a lesser dose of Colyte was found to be effective in maintaining regular bowel movements.