Published online Jun 14, 2021. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v27.i22.3121
Peer-review started: November 11, 2020
First decision: November 23, 2020
Revised: December 8, 2020
Accepted: May 17, 2021
Article in press: May 17, 2021
Published online: June 14, 2021
Processing time: 208 Days and 21.6 Hours
Slow transit constipation (STC) has traditionally been considered as a functional disorder. However, evidence is accumulating that suggests that most of the motility alterations in STC might be of a neuropathic etiology. If the patient does not meet the diagnosis of pelvic outlet obstruction and poorly response to conservative treatment, surgical intervention with subtotal colectomy may be effective. The most unwanted complication of the procedure is anastomotic leakage, however, preservation of the superior rectal artery (SRA) may reduce its incidence.
To evaluate the preservation of the SRA in laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis in STC patients.
This was a single-center retrospective observational study. STC was diagnosed after a series of examinations which included a colonic transit test, anal manometry, a balloon expulsion test, and a barium enema. Eligible patients underwent laparoscopically assisted total colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis and were examined between January 2016 and January 2018. The operation time, blood loss, time to first flatus, length of hospital days, and incidence of minor or major complications were recorded.
A total of 32 patients (mean age, 42.6 years) who had received laparoscopic assisted subtotal colectomy with ileorectal artery anastomosis and preservation of the SRA. All patients were diagnosed with STC after a series of examinations. The mean operative time was 151 min and the mean blood loss was 119 mL. The mean day of first time to flatus was 3.0 d, and the mean hospital stay was 10.6 d. There were no any patients conversions to laparotomy. Post-operative minor complications including 1 wound infection and 1 case of ileus. There was no surgical mortality. No anastomosis leakage was noted in any of the patients.
Laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis and preservation of the SRA can significantly improve bowel function with careful patient selection. Sparing the SRA may protect against anastomosis leakage.
Core Tip: Slow transit constipation (STC) has traditionally been considered as a functional disorder. Surgical intervention with subtotal colectomy may be effective for STC. Laparoscopically assisted subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis and preservation of the superior rectal artery is tolerated and can have an excellent surgical outcome in reduce anastomosis leakage with significant improvement in bowel function under careful patient enrollment criteria.