Chronic Constipation

Treatment of Colonic Dysmotility

Colonic dysmotility is the diagnostic term for severe constipation caused by dysfunctional nerves or muscles, that is, nerves or muscles which don't work the way they should. Most patients with colonic dysmotility have delayed colonic transit, meaning it takes longer for material to pass through the colon.

Treatment Options

Medications

For some cases of colonic dysmotility, physicians may suggest laxatives and/or suppositories and/or enemas. Mayo Clinic researchers are continually investigating new medications to treat constipation. Patients at Mayo Clinic have access to appropriate trials for newly developed medications.

Behavior and Pain Management

Many patients with colonic dysmotility benefit from evaluation and therapy for stress and other psychosocial factors and for problems of chronic abdominal pain.

Surgery

Subtotal Colectomy (Total Abdominal Colectomy)

The surgeon removes the colon then joins the end of the small bowel to the top of the rectum. The surgery does not cause loss of stool control because the anal sphincter remains intact. Following surgery, patients can expect to have from one to four bowel movements each day.

The procedure can be performed by open or laparoscopic surgery. At Mayo Clinic, the laparoscopic procedure is preferred because it requires a smaller incision and recovery time is shorter.