Results after colectomy for colonic inertia: a sixteen-year experience.
BACKGROUND
Colonic inertia (CI) is a disturbance of colonic motility characterized by severe constipation and abdominal pain. This study was conducted to assess the results of total abdominal colectomy (TAC) in the management of CI.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review of 55 patients who underwent TAC for CI was conducted.


RESULTS
Forty-eight patients (87%) were female with an average age of 40; severe constipation existed 2 years prior to surgery. Symptoms included severe constipation (100%) and abdominal pain (84%); diagnostic workup included sitz marker study, anal manometry, and Gastrografin enema. In all cases, sitz marker studies were abnormal and anal manometry was normal. Histologically, no patient had absence of neuroenteric plexuses. Complications included prolonged ileus (24%) and small bowel obstruction (8%). Some 49 patients (89%) had "good" or "excellent" results and 6 patients (11%) had "poor" results. Postoperative stool frequency was 5, 4, and 3 per day at 1, 2, and 12 months, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
TAC results in resolution of constipation in most patients. We conclude that TAC is effective treatment in patients with CI.
Webster
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Department of Surgery, 3B110, University of Utah School of Medicine, 30 N. 1900 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84132-2301, USA. clinton.webster@hsc.utah.edu
Dayton
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003082:Colectomy; D003108:Colonic Diseases / Q000601:surgery; D003248:Constipation / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome