Clinical Analysis of Total Colectomy for Chronic Idiopathic Constipation

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to analyse clinical feature and outcome of patients following total abdominal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis. METHODS: All of 8 patients subjected to surgery during 5 year period from May 1995 to December 1999 were reviewed using retrospective method. RESULTS: All patients had slow colonic transit and 7 patients (male to female, 11.6) with a mean age of 54 (range, 27~70) years underwent total abdominal colectomy and ileorectal anastomosis and one patient had right hemicolectomy. Major symptoms were abdominal pain and bloating and mean bowel action was 18.5 days, mean suffered time before operation was 26.3 years. Colonic transit study, defecography and rectal manometry were done in all cases. Pelvic floor dysfunction was combined in 5 patients. Median follow up was 2.7 years. There was one mortality case due to postoperative pneumonia and ARDS in a 70 year old patient. Except one mortality case, there was significant success rate, overall 71%. CONCLUSIONS: Colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis produces a satisfactory outcome in the majority of patients undergoing surgery for chronic idiopathic constipation.