Bb. Simpson et al., SURGICAL EVALUATION AND MANAGEMENT OF REFRACTORY CONSTIPATION IN OLDER CHILDREN, Journal of pediatric surgery, 31(8), 1996, pp. 1040-1042
Chronic constipation is a common childhood problem that accounts for 3
% to 5% of pediatric visits and 10% to 25% of referrals to pediatric;
gastroenterologists. The etiology of constipation can be elusive, and
extensive investigation often fails to identify a specific cause. The
authors conducted a fi-year retrospective review of the patients refer
red for deep transanal rectal biopsy to determine the usefulness of th
is procedure in the evaluation and subsequent surgical management of r
efractory constipation. Specimens obtained by transanal rectal biopsy
established a diagnosis for 30 of the 70 patients, and 17 of these 30
had subsequent procedures in the treatment of their constipation. The
authors conclude that transanal rectal biopsy identifies a significant
number of patients with previously unidentified neuroenteric disorder
s who may benefit from additional surgery in the treatment of constipa
tion refractory to medical manangement. Copyright (C) 1996 by W.B. Sau
nders Company