Iatrogenic constipation in gastrointestinal surgery

Postoperative constipation occurs relatively frequently, and can involve drug-related, surgical and lifestyle and dietary factors. Gastrointestinal motility can be altered by inflammation, surgery, opioid medications, hypnotics, anti-secretory or anesthetic drugs or by functional modifications for which the physiopathology is not well defined. There are a number of laxatives available. These include bulk laxatives, osmotic laxatives and locally acting laxatives such as suppositories and enemas. Stimulant laxatives have a role to play in the short-term management of persistent constipation. 5-HT4 receptor antagonists are recommended in refractory constipation. Other specific therapeutic laxatives can be proposed such as methylnaltrexone in opioid-induced constipation or neostigmine in Ogilvie's syndrome. The prevention and/or early detection of iatrogenic constipation, whether postoperative or not, is essential and the knowledge how to improve patient comfort and reduce the duration of gastrointestinal motor disorders with specific drugs or other means is essential, particularly the postoperative period.