title: [Slow transit constipation treated by surgery: analysis of 17 cases].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the operative indications, prognosis, and possible pathogenic factors of slow transit constipation (STC).
  
  
  METHODS
  17 cases with STC who had undergone colectomy were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Bowel movement frequency was once per 4 to 14 days in all of the patients, who had had long-term laxative abuse. Delayed colonic transit was demonstrated in all patients, 82.4% of them were accompanied by outlet obstructive constipation (OOC) and 50% showed abnormal sex hormones. Reduced numbers of argyrophilic neurons and vacuolar degeneration of axons were demonstrated at the myenteric plexus pathologically. Three patients had adhesive ileus postoperatively and one patient suffered from difficult evacuation again 5 years after the operation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Colectomy is highly effective in alleviating symptoms in patients with STC, and pelvic floor disorder of OOC should be treated simultaneously.
authors.affiliation: Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gao
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003082:Colectomy / Q000379:methods*; D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged