Colectomy for idiopathic slow transit constipation

Objective: To evaluate the intervention of colectomy on a group of patients with idiopathic slow transit constipation (STC). Methods: Thirty-four patients with STC, underwent colectomy during recent 10 years in our department , were subjected and followed for a mean length of 34 months, and their colon transits, defecograms, colonoscopic examination, sex hormone detection, and immunohistochemical studies were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The co-Ionic transit time ranged from 96 to 240 h, with a mean time of 136 h. Eighty-five percent of patients (29/34) accompanied with outlet obstructed constipation, and 50% ( 17/34) showed abnormal sex hormone levels. Colectomy obtained satisfactory results in most patients, except one case of recurrence. Moreover, more neurons positive to nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and lesser to vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) were seen in the colonic myenteric plexus. Conclusion: Colectomy produces a satisfactory functional outcome in the majority of patients undergoi