Is colonic transit-time measurement valuable in the etiological evaluation of constipation?
Mehmet Abdussamet Bozkurt, Mustafa Uygar Kalaycı, Eyüp Gemici, Ece Dilege, Halil Alış
Bakırköy Dr. Sadi Konuk Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Genel Cerrahi, İstanbul, Türkiye
Abstract
Introduction: Constipation is a common symptom in surgery and determining the etiology of constipation is important for the success of treatment. The aim of this study is to determine the value of colonic transit-time measurement in revealing the etiology of constipation.
Materials and Methods: Hundred and thirty patients who were diagnosed with constipation according to Rome III criteria were included in this study and the colonic transit-time of all patients was measured.
Results: 13 of 130 patients had prolonged colonic transit time. Markers accumulated in the rectosigmoid region in 9 patients, in the right colon in 2 patients and in the left colon in 2 patients.
Conclusion: Colonic transit-time measurement is a useful diagnostic tool in the evaluation of chronic constipation; however it gives limited information about the etiology.
Keywords: Constipation, colonic transit time, Rome III criteria