CLINICAL AND PARACLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC CONSTIPATION CAUSED BY COLONIC INERTIA
Main Article Content
Abstract
Objectives: Chronic constipation is an increasingly common condition that severely impacts quality of life and creates an economic burden for both patients and society. Among these cases, chronic constipation due to colonic inertia, which accounts for 13% to 37%, is a distinct clinical form that responds poorly to medical treatment, with surgery being the most effective treatment option. However, diagnosing colonic inertia remains challenging due to its non-specific clinical and paraclinical symptoms. In Vietnam, there is still limited research describing the clinical and paraclinical characteristics of this condition. Methods: This is a retrospective descriptive study of a case series conducted on 27 patients with chronic constipation due to colonic inertia who underwent surgical treatment at the University Medical Center Ho Chi Minh City from January 2019 to August 2024. Clinical characteristics were assessed based on Rome IV criteria and the Wexner score, while paraclinical characteristics were evaluated using colonic radiography with Sitzmarks, anorectal manometry, and dynamic pelvic floor MRI. Results: The study included 27 patients with a median age of 48 (ranging from 23 to 80 years), with a predominance of females (female-to-male ratio of 3:1). All patients met the Rome IV criteria for the diagnosis of constipation, with an average Wexner score of 10,2 ± 1,3. Colonic radiography with Sitzmarks indicated slow colonic transit, with an average of 19,5 ± 5,5 markers remaining by the third day. Anorectal manometry revealed that 100% of patients had an intact rectoanal inhibitory reflex, and 29,2% had difficulty expelling the balloon. Dynamic pelvic floor MRI showed that 72% of patients had no signs of outlet obstruction. Conclusion: The study has characterized the distinctive clinical and paraclinical features of chronic constipation due to colonic inertia, contributing to a better understanding of disease diagnosis and guiding the selection of appropriate treatment methods for patients in Vietnam.
Article Details
Keywords
Slow transit constipation, colonic inertia, chronic constipation.
References


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