Relationship of gynecologic surgery to constipation

C. Paul Perry, C P Perry, Perry CP
The Journal of the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists · 1999 · vol. 6(1) , pp. 75–78 · doi:10.1016/s1074-3804(99)80045-0 · PMID:9971856 · W1997525840
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This paper investigated the connection between gynecologic surgery and the development of constipation.

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Abstract

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine if women undergoing presacral neurectomy, hysterectomy, or other gynecologic surgery experience a greater frequency of constipation than those having no surgery. DESIGN: Concurrent, nonrandomized, retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). SETTING: Tertiary medical care center with referral-based practice for the treatment of chronic pelvic pain. PATIENTS: Two hundred fifty-six women forming four groups based on surgical procedure: presacral neurectomy (66), hysterectomy (65), other gynecologic surgery (68), and no surgery (57). INTERVENTIONS: Laparoscopic presacral neurectomies. Other gynecologic surgery included laparoscopy, dilatation and curettage, laparoscopic resection of endometriosis, or any combination of these procedures. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Constipation was defined as decrease in frequency of spontaneous bowel movements. A statistically significant greater percentage of patients undergoing surgical procedures were more constipated than those having no surgery: presacral neurectomy, 31.8%; hysterectomy, 27.7%; other gynecologic surgery, 25%; and no gynecologic surgery, 10.5%. CONCLUSION: Pelvic surgery may cause parasympathetic nerve dysfunction leading to constipation. (J Am Assoc Gynecol Laparosc 6(1):75-78, 1999)

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Condition tags

dysmenorrheachronic_pelvic_pain

MeSH descriptors

Constipation Gynecologic Surgical Procedures Adult Adult Chronic Disease Chronic Disease Constipation Constipation Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Dysmenorrhea Female Female Follow-Up Studies Follow-Up Studies Gynecologic Surgical Procedures Gynecologic Surgical Procedures Humans Humans Hypogastric Plexus

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