Relationship of gynecologic surgery to constipation.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if women undergoing presacral neurectomy, hysterectomy, or other gynecologic surgery experience a greater frequency of constipation than those having no surgery.


METHODS
Concurrent, nonrandomized, retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2).


METHODS
Tertiary medical care center with referral-based practice for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain.


METHODS
Two hundred fifty-six women forming four groups based on surgical procedure: presacral neurectomy (66), hysterectomy (65), other gynecologic surgery (68), and no surgery (57).


METHODS
Laparoscopic presacral neurectomies. Other gynecologic surgery included laparoscopy, dilatation and curettage, laparoscopic resection of endometriosis, or any combination of these procedures.


RESULTS
Constipation was defined as decrease in frequency of spontaneous bowel movements. A statistically significant greater percentage of patients undergoing surgical procedures were more constipated than those having no surgery: presacral neurectomy, 31.8%; hysterectomy, 27.7%; other gynecologic surgery, 25%; and no gynecologic surgery, 10.5%.


CONCLUSIONS
Pelvic surgery may cause parasympathetic nerve dysfunction leading to constipation. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 6(1):75-78, 1999)
Perry
C P
CP
Brookwood Women's Medical Center, C. Paul Perry PelvicPain Center, Birmingham, AL 35209, USA.
D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology*; D004412:Dysmenorrhea / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007001:Hypogastric Plexus / Q000601:surgery; D017699:Pelvic Pain / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies