Severe, longstanding constipation in adults. Indications for surgical treatment.

In recent years new techniques for the investigation of colonic motility and defaecation mechanism have been developed. On the basis of the results of these studies it has been suggested that there might be an indication for a surgical approach to the distressing problem of constipation. Because this approach is still controversial, it seems to be appropriate to review the suggested indications for the use of surgery in the treatment of constipation and to discuss the results as reported in the literature so far.