[Surgical management of incontinence in rectal constipation (author's transl)]

In rectal constipation chronic filling of the rectum with feces will cause continuous rectal dilatation, a permanent stimulus for defecation and finally rectal incontinence. Reduction of rectal volume and perfect continence may be achieved in these cases by surgical removal of part of the elongated colon; thus surgery may have its place as an alternative to medical treatment of this disease. Patients with rectal constipation do not have an aganglionic segment of the colon, as is the case in Hirschsprung's disease; the dilated part of the colon is characterized on the contrary by hypertrophic intestinal wall.