Normal bowel function restored after oxygen therapy in systemic sclerosis and colonic inertia.
Colorectal involvement with obstructed defecation is a common complication of progressive systemic sclerosis (pSSc), compromising quality of life and placing patients at risk for life-threatening complications. Treatment for colonic inertia in these patients includes laxatives, prokinetics, and ultimately colectomy, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality in pSSc. We describe a woman with scleroderma and colonic inertia recommended for total abdominal colectomy. As a result of respiratory decompensation, she was placed on oxygen by nasal cannula, after which bowel motility with regularity was restored, obviating the need for colectomy.
Saketkoo
Lesley Ann
LA
Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. saketkoo.md@gmail.com
Espinoza
Luis R
LR
D003248:Constipation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D003672:Defecation / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005769:Gastrointestinal Motility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010102:Oxygen Inhalation Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D012595:Scleroderma, Systemic / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome