Two Cases of Slow Transit Constipation Associated with Delayed Gastric Emptying Treated by Total Abdominal Colectomy

Huh, Ae Jung; Park, Hyo Jin; Sohn, Seung Kook; Lee, Chang Kyu; Choi, So Rae; Lee, Sang In; Park, In Suh

Abstract

Two patients with slow transit constipation were reviewed focusing on delayed gastric emptying and its relation to surgical treatment. These patients were identified by barium enema, colonic transit time, gastric emptying time and electogastrography. Colonic transit time and gastric emptying time were delayed in two cases and all cases were managed surgically. Upper gastrointestinal symptoms as well as constipation were improved after surgery, but gastric emptying time was still delayed in postoperative study. Another possible mechanism except ""cologastric brake"" may affect upper gastrointesitnal dysmotility in chronic constipation. Previous studies has identified two distinct types of colonic dysmotility (colonic inertia and generalized gastrointestinal dysmotility) and demonstrated the long-term success of total abdominal colectomy for colonic inertia. These results suggest that surgical treatment may be considered in the case of intractable generalized gastrointestinal dysmotility.