Surgically treated intractable constipation in children evaluated with colonic manometry.

BACKGROUND

'Intractable constipation' (IC) is constipation unresponsive to 3 months of optimal conventional treatment. Colonic manometry (CM) is recommended as a diagnostic modality for evaluation of these children. This study aimed to review outcomes of children with IC who were managed surgically at a single tertiary care center.

METHODS

Records of children with IC who were treated with ACE (antegrade colonic enema), colostomy, or ileostomy (2006-2018) were reviewed. "Success" was defined as adequate evacuation without need for further unplanned surgery. Data are median (range).

RESULTS

Sixty-seven children underwent surgery, of whom 56 with preoperative CM were included. Age at surgery was 8.6 (3.3-15.1) years. Eight had normal manometry and underwent ACE with 75% success. Thirty-six had left-sided dysfunction and underwent ACE (18), colostomy (14) or ileostomy (4) as initial intervention with 61, 70, and 100% success. Twelve with pancolonic dysfunction underwent ACE (6) or ileostomy (6) with 60 and 100% success. Twenty underwent repeat manometry 2.2 years (10 months-7.6 years) after surgery. Of 18 with stoma, 8 had resolution or improvement and of these, 7 underwent stoma reversal with a simultaneous ACE. Two patients with ACE had improvement, 1 is still on ACE washouts, and 1 is off all treatment. Ten with persistent dysfunction remain diverted. At 3.2 years (4 months-9.9 years) follow-up, 18 remain on ACE washouts, 9 have colostomy, 19 ileostomy, and 10 are off treatment and doing well.

CONCLUSION

We present a large series of patients who were surgically managed for IC. CM may guide therapy in these children.

TYPE OF STUDY: Retrospective comparative study LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.