This review follows the general review entitled “Constipation,” which introduced the definition, classification, epidemiology, etiology, clinical evaluation, and investigation of constipation. This review addresses the medical and surgical management of constipation with a focus on surgical management. The latter is a subject of much controversy, and this review aims to provide a balanced view between those who favor radical surgery for the colon (colectomy) and rectum/pelvic floor (forms of rectopexy, rectal excision, and reinforcement) and those who have concerns that the unpredictable outcomes of such procedures push the risk–benefit analysis against surgical intervention for most patients.
This review contains 5 figures, 2 tables and 80 references
Key Words: chronic constipation, colectomy, constipation, ileorectal, intussusception, pelvic floor, rectocele, rectocele repair, rectopexy, slow-transit, stapled transanal rectal resection