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Fecal impaction: a cause for concern?
1Department of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery
|March 2, 2013
Summary
Fecal impaction (FI), often seen in the elderly, is a severe constipation causing bowel obstruction. Prompt diagnosis and treatment, including dietary changes, can prevent serious complications and recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Internal Medicine
- Geriatrics
Background:
- Fecal impaction (FI) is a frequent cause of lower gastrointestinal obstruction.
- It predominantly affects the elderly population due to chronic or severe constipation.
- FI can lead to severe complications if not promptly identified and managed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline the diagnostic approaches for fecal impaction.
- To detail the various treatment strategies for fecal impaction.
- To discuss methods for preventing recurrence of fecal impaction.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis relies on patient history, physical examination, and acute abdominal series imaging.
- Treatment involves conservative measures like bowel softening and washout, or manual extraction.
- Surgical intervention is reserved for complicated cases involving perforation or peritonitis.
Main Results:
- Early recognition and treatment significantly reduce the risk of complications such as bowel obstruction, aspiration, stercoral ulcers, perforation, and peritonitis.
- Conservative treatments are effective for uncomplicated cases.
- Recurrence is common and manageable with lifestyle and medication adjustments.
Conclusions:
- Fecal impaction requires prompt diagnosis and management to avoid severe gastrointestinal complications.
- A combination of medical and lifestyle interventions can effectively treat and prevent fecal impaction.
- Understanding risk factors and management strategies is crucial, especially in elderly patients.
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