Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Idiopathic acquired megacolon:

The value of subtotal colectomy

  • Published:
Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Abstract

Forty-eight patients treated for chronic incapacitating constipation by surgical resection were reviewed. Thirty-seven had subtotal colectomy, eight had left colectomy, two had right hemicolectomy, and one had ileostomy, colectomy, and a Hartmann pouch. There were significant complications (21 per cent) and one mortality (2 per cent). A long-term successful outcome was found in 81 per cent of the patients on follow-up. Physiologic studies are recommended to improve the selection of patients.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Martelli H, Devroede B, Arhan P, Duguay C. Mechanisms of idiopathic constipation: outlet obstruction. Gastroenterology 1978;75:623–31.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Lane RH, Todd IP. Idiopathic megacolon: a review of 42 cases. Br J Surg 1977;64:305–10.

    Google Scholar 

  3. Jennings PJ. Megarectum and megacolon in adolescents and young adults: results of treatment at St. Mark's Hospital. Proc R Soc Med 1967;60:805–6.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. McCready RA, Beart RW Jr. The surgical treatment of incapacitating constipation associated with idiopathic megacolon. Mayo Clin Proc 1979;54:779–83.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hinton JM, Lennard-Jones JE. Constipation: definition and classification. Postgrad Med J 1968;44:720–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Schuster MM. Megacolon in adults. In: Sleisenger MH, Fordtran JS, eds. Pathophysiology, diagnosis, management Gastrointestinal disease. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 1978;1812–24.

    Google Scholar 

  7. Ehrenpreis T. Megacolon and megarectum in older children and young adults. Proc R Soc Med 1967;60:799–801.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Hughes ES, Hardy KJ, Cuthbertson AM. Megacolon in adults. Dis Colon Rectum 1969;12:190–2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Meunier P, Rochas A, Lambert R. Motor activity of the sigmoid colon in chronic constipation: comparative study with normal subjects. Gut 1979;20:1095–1101.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Battle WM, Snape WJ Jr, Alavi A, Cohen S, Braunstein S. Colonic dysfunction in diabetes mellitus. Gastroenterology 1980;79:1217–21.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Minnesota, 1731 Medical Arts Building, 55402, Minneapolis, Minnesota

    Paul Belliveau M.D.,  Stanley M. Goldberg M.D., David A. Rothenberger M.D. & Santhat Nivatvongs M.D.

Authors
  1. Paul Belliveau M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Stanley M. Goldberg M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. David A. Rothenberger M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Santhat Nivatvongs M.D.
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

Read at the meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Colorado Springs, Colorado, June 7 to 11, 1981.

About this article

Cite this article

Belliveau, P., Goldberg, S.M., Rothenberger, D.A. et al. Idiopathic acquired megacolon:. Dis Colon Rectum 25, 118–121 (1982). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02553250

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02553250

Key words

Search

Navigation