Surgical treatment of constipation

Constipation is a common symptom in clinical practice. Definition of constipation includes abnormal bowel frequency, difficulty during defecation and abnormal stool consistency. There are many classifications of constipation based on constipation etiology (constipation in healthy people caused by life style, constipation as a symptom of digestive tract diseases, secondary constipation in the course of systemic disorders or associated with drugs) and/or constipation mechanisms (functional, mechanical). The numerous disorders leading to constipation make often diagnostic management difficult and complicated. Treatment of constipation includes dietary and behavioral approaches, pharmacologic therapy and in selected patient surgical treatment. Surgical treatment is recommended in young patients with severe slow transit constipation refractory to conservative treatment. Confirmation of indication to surgical treatment requires studies of colonic and anorectal function (colonic transit studies, anorectal manometry, studies of defecation). Preferred surgical technique is colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. Authors reported good results and patient satisfaction in 50-100 percent of cases. Postoperative complications include intestinal obstruction, abdominal pain, flatulence, diarrhea.