Does the Oral-Anal Transit Test Correlate with Colonic Manometry Findings in Children with Refractory Constipation? / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: The Oral-anal Transit Test (OTT) is a simple method of obtaining information about colonic transit. We aim to assess the correlation of OTT with the neuromuscular integrity of the colon determined by colonic manometry (CM).METHODS: All patients who had OTT followed by CM were evaluated. Less than 6 of 24 markers remaining on OTT was considered normal. CM was performed per previously published guidelines. A normal CM was defined as at least one High Amplitude Propagating Contraction progressing from the most proximal sensor through the sigmoid colon.RESULTS: A total of 34 patients underwent both OTT and CM (44% male, age 4–18 years, mean 11.5 years, 97% functional constipation +/− soiling, Hirschsprung's Disease). Of normal and abnormal OTT patients, 85.7% (6/7) and 18.5% (5/27) respectively had normal CM. When all markers progressed to at least the sigmoid colon, this was 100% predictive against colonic inertia. Greater than 50% of patients with manometric isolated sigmoid dysfunction had markers proximal to the recto-sigmoid.CONCLUSION: OTT and CM are both valuable studies that assess different aspects of colonic function. OTT can be used as a screening test to rule out colonic inertia. However, the most proximal extent of remaining markers does not predict the anatomical extent of the manometric abnormality, particularly in isolated sigmoid dysfunction.

Diagnosis and treatment of constipation: a clinical update based on the Rome IV criteria / Diagnóstico e tratamento da constipação crônica: atualização baseado nos critérios Roma IV

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate the published professional association guidelines regarding the current diagnosis and treatment of functional intestinal constipation in adults and to compare those guidelines with the authors' experience to standardize actions that aid clinical reasoning and decision-making for medical professionals. A literature search was conducted in the Medline/PubMed, Scielo, EMBASE and Cochrane online databases using the following terms: chronic constipation, diagnosis, management of chronic constipation, Roma IV and surgical treatment. Conclusively, chronic intestinal constipation is a common condition in adults and occurs most frequently in the elderly and in women. Establishing a precise diagnosis of the physiopathology of functional chronic constipation is complex and requires many functional tests in refractory cases. An understanding of intestinal motility and the defecatory process is critical for the appropriate management of chronic functional intestinal constipation, with surgery reserved for cases in which pharmacologic intervention has failed. The information contained in this review article is subject to the critical evaluation of the medical specialist responsible for determining the action plan to be followed within the context of the conditions and clinical status of each individual patient.

RESUMO O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar os consensos de sociedade de especialistas e guidelines publicados sobre o diagnóstico e tratamento da constipação intestinal crônica em adultos, e confrontar com a experiência dos autores, a fim de padronizar condutas que auxiliem o raciocínio e a tomada de conduta do médico. Foi realizada busca na literatura científica, mais precisamente nas bases de dados eletrônicos Medline/Pubmed, Scielo, EMBASE and Cochrane, tendo sido utilizado os seguintes descritores: chronic constipation, diagnosis, management of chronic constipation, Roma IV and surgical treatment. Pode-se concluir que constipação crônica é condição comum em adultos, ocorrendo com maior frequência em idosos e mulheres. Identificar com precisão a fisiopatologia presente na constipação crônica funcional é complexo, requerendo a realização de testes funcionais nos casos refratários. O entendimento da motilidade intestinal e do mecanismo defecatório é importante para o manejo da constipação intestinal crônica funcional, sendo o tratamento cirúrgico indicado para casos selecionados, onde à abordagem medicamentosa não surtiu efeito. As informações contidas neste artigo de revisão devem ser submetidas à avaliação e à crítica do médico especialista responsável pela conduta a ser tomada, frente à sua realidade e ao estado clínico de cada paciente.

Estimulación eléctrica del colon en pacientes con constipación / Electrical Stimulation of the Colon in Patients with Constipation

Objetivo: presentar una visión general de los tratamientos actuales para el estreñimiento con técnicas basadas en la estimulación eléctrica directa o indirecta del colon. Fuente: la búsqueda se realiza en PubMed, Science Direct e ISI Web of Knowledge usando palabras clave: estimulación eléctrica del colon, estreñimiento. Se consideraron los estudios en humanos y los estudios experimentales cuyo objetivo era intervenir los patrones de motilidad del colon en niños y adultos con estas técnicas. Principales conclusiones: el estreñimiento es parte de los trastornos de la motilidad gastrointestinal. Es una patología de etiología multifactorial, con grave impacto sobre la calidad de vida en los casos resistentes a la terapia convencional. La cirugía, que se utiliza en los casos más graves, no está exenta de complicaciones y los resultados están lejos de curar a los enfermos. Algunos medicamentos han sido eficaces en la enfermedad leve, aunque en los casos graves no se ha demostrado su utilidad. Otras estrategias han sido desarrolladas e incluyen estimulación eléctrica del colon con diferentes metodologías, con el objetivo de aumentar la motilidad del órgano. Se hace una extensa revisión de la literatura disponible como punto de partida para enfocar los esfuerzos por realizar. Conclusión: la estimulación eléctrica en pacientes con estreñimiento severo es una terapia prometedora para lograr, desde el punto de vista fisiológico, el restablecimiento de la función del colon, en busca de la menor invasión posible en este grupo de pacientes.

Objective: The objective of this study is to present an overview of current treatments for constipation based on techniques to directly or indirectly stimulate the colon electrically. Sources: This study is based on searches of PubMed, ScienceDirect.com, and ISI Web of Knowledge using the keywords electrical stimulation of the colon and constipation. We considered studies of these techniques in humans and experimental studies aimed at intervening in colon motility patterns in children and adults. Principal Conclusions: Constipation is a disorder of gastrointestinal motility. Its etiology is multifactorial etiology, it has severe impacts on patient quality of life, and it is resistant to conventional therapy in many cases. Surgery, used in the most severe cases, has the risk of complications and the results are far from what is needed to cure the patients. Some drugs have been effective for treating milder cases, but have not been proven useful for more severe cases has. Other strategies have been developed to increase motility including various methods of electrical stimulation of the colon. This extensive review of the available literature is a starting point for focusing additional efforts in this area. Conclusion: Electrical stimulation of patients with severe constipation is a promising therapy to achieve restoration of colon function from the physiological point of view in the least invasive manner possible.

Surgical Outcomes after Total Colectomy with Ileorectal Anastomosis in Patients with Medically Intractable Slow Transit Constipation

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of a total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis in patients with slow transit constipation. METHODS: A retrospective review of 37 consecutive patients with slow transit constipation who underwent a total colectomy between 1994 and 2008 was undertaken. Preoperative and postoperative Wexner's constipation scores were collected and used to evaluate the outcomes after surgical treatment. Also patients' postoperative satisfaction scores were collected using a 4-point scale. RESULTS: The 37 patients consisted of 31 women and 6 men, with a median age of 41 years (range, 17 to 71 years). Pre- and post-operative Wexner's scores were collected from 33 patients (89.1%), and the mean preoperative Wexner's score was 19.3 (range, 11 to 24), which decreased to an average post-operative score of 2.3 (range, 0 to 8). Neither intraoperative complications nor postoperative mortalities were noted. Five patients (13.5%) had early postoperative complications, and the most common complication was postoperative ileus (10.8%). Seven patients (18.9%) had late postoperative complications, and postoperative ileus (10.8%) was also the most common. Twenty seven of 33 patients were satisfied with their surgical outcome (81.8%). CONCLUSION: A total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis might be an effective surgical procedure with acceptable morbidity to treat medically intractable slow transit constipation.

Colectomía total laparóscopica para el tratamiento de inercia colónica: resultados quirúrgicos y funcionales / Laparoscopic total colectomy for colonia inertia: immediate and late results

Introducción: El abordaje laparoscópico en el tratamiento de la inercia colónica (IC) es una técnica que ha demostrado ser una excelente alternativa al abordaje clásico. Objetivo: Presentar la experiencia de la IC y los resultados funcionales obtenidos a mediano plazo luego de una colectomía total con ileorecto anastomosis (CT+IRA) por vía laparóscopica. Material y Método: Se analizaron todos los pacientes operados con diagnóstico de IC a los que se les realizó una CT+IRA vía laparóscopica, en el período 2002 al 2007. Todos poseían un completo estudio para constipación (Historia clínica, manometría ano-rectal, enema baritado, defecografía, estudio radiológico del tránsito colónico y de intestino delgado). Se analizaron las variables preoperatorios y quirúrgicas. Se realizó un seguimiento telefónico evaluando el puntaje según la escala de Wexner para constipación e incontinencia, la recomendación de la cirugía a terceros y satisfacción con el procedimiento (Escala de 1 a 10). Análisis estadístico: Test T de Student. Resultados: En el período mencionado se intervinieron 20 pacientes, todos de sexo femenino. La edad promedio fue de 41,5 años (i: 18-52). El tiempo operatorio fue de 248 minutos (i: 170-360). Hubo una conversión (5 por ciento) por dificultad anatómica. El tiempo medio hasta la expulsión de gases y la realimentación fue al 2º (i: 1-4) y 3º (i: 2-6) día respectivamente. La mediana de estadía postoperatoria fue de 7 días. Se complicaron 7 pacientes (35 por ciento) (3 íleo postoperatorios, 1 trombosis portal, 1 rectorragia, 1 colección peri anastomotica y 1 hemoperitoneo). Hubo una relaparotomía por trombosis portal, una punción percutánea por colección perianastomotica y una relaparoscopía por hemoperitoneo. No hubo mortalidad postoperatoria. Seguimiento a una mediana de 25 meses (i: 1-60); puntaje de Wexner para constipación en el preoperatorio fue 22,3 (i: 19-29) y al control postoperatorio 1,8 (i: 0-6) (p < 0,01). El nivel medio de satisfacción...

Background: Total colectomy with Neo-recto anastomosis has the best results in the treatment of colonic inertia but it is a complex procedure. Laparoscopic approach is a less invasive alternative. Aim: To report the results of laparoscopic total colectomy with Neo rectal anastomosis for the treatment of colonic inertia. Material and Methods: Review of medical records of patients with colonic inertia subjected to a laparoscopic total colectomy with Neo rectal anastomosis. All had a complete preoperative study for constipation. A telephone follow up was performed asking for constipation, fecal incontinence and if they would recommend the procedure to other patients. Results: Twenty female patients aged 18 to 52 years were operated. Mean operative time was 248 minutes. In 5 percent of patients, conversion to open surgery was required. The lapse for gas expulsion and resumption of oral feeding was two and three days after surgery, respectively. Mean hospital stay was seven days. Seven patients (35 percent) has complications (a postoperative ileus in three, a portal vein thrombosis in one, hematochezia in one and hemoperitoneum that required a new laparoscopy in one). The Wexler score for constipation was 22.3 (range 19-29) in the preoperative period and decreased to 1.8 (range 0-6) in the telephone follow up. The mean level of satisfaction was 8 (range 2-10) and only one patient would not recommend the procedure to other patients. Conclusions: Laparoscopic total colectomy for colonic inertia has a 35 percent rate of complications in immediate postoperative period and good functional results in the long term follow up.

Biofeedback Therapy for Patients with Rectocele

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the outcome and identify predictors of success of biofeedback therapy for rectocele. METHODS: Twenty four female patients (mean age 43.8 years) with rectal emptying difficulties and a rectocele greater than 2 cm at defecography were evaluated before hand with a standardized questionnaires, immediately after biofeedback therapy, and at follow up. Defecography, manometry, colon transit studies and electrophysiology were also analyzed. RESULTS: Follow up (mean 7.2; range 2~17 months) results were evaluated by an independent observer in 20 patients. At the end of biofeedback, 22 (92 percent) patients felt improvement in symptoms, including 13 (54 percent) with symptomatic relief. At follow-up, 14 (70 percent) patients felt improvement in symptoms, including 3 (15 percent) with complete relief of symptoms. There was a significant reduction in difficult defecation (from 79 to 29, 40 percent, from pre-biofeedback to post-biofeedback, at follow-up respectively; P<0.001, P<0.05), sensation of incomplete defecation (from 96 to 46, 60 percent; P<0.001, P<0.005), laxative use (from 54 to 25, 30 percent; P<0.05), enema use (from 21 to 0,0 percent; P<0.05), anal pain (from 21 to 0, 5 percent; P<0.05) and digitation (from 21 to 4, 5 percent). Normal spontaneous bowel movement was significantly increased from 50 percent pre-biofeedback to 83 post-biofeedback (P<0.05), 65 percent at follow-up. Abdominal pain (P<0.05) and digitation (P<0.05) related to poor results. High mean squeeze pressure (P<0.001) and high maximum squeeze pressure (P<0.05) on pre-biofeedback manometry were also related to a poor outcome. Age, duration of symptoms, parity, number of sessions of biofeedback, gynecologic surgery history, and rectocele size at defecography had no prognostic value. Anismus and colonic inertia did not influence the outcome of biofeedback. CONCLUSIONS: Biofeedback is an effective treatment option for patients with obstructed defecation due to rectocele.

Role of Colonic Transit Study in Determining the Results of a Subtotal Colectomy for Colonic Inertia

PURPOSE: The results of a subtotal colectomy in colonic inertia, even those reported in the most recent literature, vary dramatically. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of a colonic transit study on the results of a subtotal colectomy in colonic inertia. METHODS: Between 1992 and 1997, 30 patients underwent a subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis due to colonic inertia. Twenty-one of them underwent a colonic transit study only one time preoperatively, and 9 patients underwent such a study two times. The success rate was calculated using traditional definition with two sets of criteria. We modi fied the criteria of success by including new symptoms, such as abdominal, pelvic, or rectal pain, difficult evacuation, and loose stool or diarrhea. The success rate was recalculated using our more stringent cri teria, and compared between group 1 and group 2. RESULTS: By the traditional definition, the functional success rate was 100% for patients undergoing a colonic transit study two times preoperatively and 90% for patients undergoing only one study (p=0.34). By our more stringent criteria, the success rate was 100% for patients undergoing studies two times and 62% for those undergoing only one study (p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The success rate of a colectomy for colonic inertia was significantly higher for patients who underwent a repeat transit study than for those who underwent a single study. Patients who have two or more transit studies to confirm the diagnosis of inertia have a significantly higher probability of postoperative improvement of both bowel frequency and associated symptoms, such as pain and difficult evacuation. The mechanism for this discriminatory effect of repeated colonic transit studies requires elucidation by further study.

5 Cases of Surgically Treated Colonic Inertia

We reviewed the cases of five patients with colonic inertia who were treated with total abdominal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis at the Wonkwang University Hospital from June 1994 to november 1995. All of the 5 patients with chronic constipation underwent, a colon study, colonoscopy, anorectal manometry, defecography, balloon expulsion test, and a study of the total and segmental colonic transit of radioopaque markers to diagnose the colonic inertia. The ratio of male to female was 1:4, the mean age 58 years, the average duration of symptom 41.8 months, and the average time between bowel movements 18.4 days. There was no specific operative morbidity and mortality and the average hospital stay was 14 days. At follow-up ranging from 3 months to 20 months they had excellent stool control and 1-2 bowel movements per 1-2 days. All were satisfied with the procedure.