title: The rationale for cecorectal anastomosis for slow transit constipation.
abstract: The most usual reconstruction after subtotal colectomy is ileo-rectal anastomosis, which requires the removal of the caecum. We propose the treatment of chronic slow-transit constipation with subtotal colectomy and antiperistaltic caecoproctostomy. The sparing of the caecum, the ileo-caecal valve and the distal ileal loop, leaving a physiologic reservoir, allowing the presence of colic bacterial flora which metabolizes the undigested starch and produces short chain fatty acids, should guarantee a normal stool consistency, normal absorption of water, sodium and vitamin B12 and the prevention of renal and gallbladder lithiasis. In 1992, we started a study on the outcome of 19 patients who had undergone subtotal colectomy and antiperistaltic caeco-rectal anastomosis for slow-transit constipation. The surgical procedure was carried out without any serious complications and without mortality. The mean clinical follow-up was 64 months (range 5-132). Six months after surgery, 13 patients reported normal bowel movements with solid stool consistency, 5 reported diarrhoea and the need for antidiarrhoeal agents, and one reported constipation easily controlled with laxatives. Fifteen patients considered their quality of life as having improved compared with that before surgery. Selection of patients justify such very satisfying results. It is well known that colic resection is effective only in the case of slow transit constipation, and thus a careful physiologic assessment is needed to rule out other causes of constipation, such as outlet obstruction syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Chirurgiche, Sezione di Clinica Chirurgica Generale e Terapia Chirurgica, Scuola di Specializzazione in Chirurgia Generale, Università degli Studi di Parma. leosarli@unipr.it
authors.forename: Leopoldo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sarli
authors.forename: Domenico
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Iusco
authors.forename: Enrico
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Donadei
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Costi
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sgobba
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Violi
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roncoroni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D002432:Cecum / Q000601:surgery*; D003082:Colectomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D003248:Constipation / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005772:Gastrointestinal Transit; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012007:Rectum / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome