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Constipation—Surgical Aspects, Investigations, and Therapies

  • Surgical (J Karpelowsky, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The surgical management of pediatric constipation has been modified in recent years, with a more focused approach to operative interventions and colonic resection. This review will highlight recent insights into the investigation and management of children with intractable constipation.

Recent Findings

Chronic constipation remains the domain of pediatricians and pediatric gastroenterologists. However, more targeted and accurate investigations have led to a greater understanding of the pathophysiology underlying constipation. These, in turn, have resulted in a more individualized approach to the surgical management of constipation. Improvements have been made in the investigation of constipation, including greater use of nuclear transit studies and colonic manometry. Greater fidelity in these investigations has allowed surgeons to employ a more algorithmic approach to patient management, with specific use of colonic enemas and colonic resection.

Summary

Chronic constipation remains a difficult condition to treat in many children. Surgeons have an important role to play in specific circumstances, following detailed investigation of the underlying causes.

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Acknowledgements

Sebastian King is the grateful recipient of a Career Development Award (Murdoch Childrens Research Institute) and the Senior Lecturer Fellowship (Royal Australasian College of Surgeons). His position as an Academic Pediatric Surgeon is possible due to a generous grant from The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatric Surgery, The Royal Children’s Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Sebastian K. King

  2. Surgical Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Sebastian K. King

  3. Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Sebastian K. King

  4. Department of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, The Royal Children’s Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia

    Sebastian K. King

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  1. Sebastian K. King
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Correspondence to Sebastian K. King.

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Sebastian King has no conflict of interest to disclose.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by the author.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Surgical

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King, S.K. Constipation—Surgical Aspects, Investigations, and Therapies. Curr Pediatr Rep 5, 52–57 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-017-0126-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40124-017-0126-7

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