Surgical decision-making in the management of children with intractable functional constipation: What are we doing and are we doing it right?

[BACKGROUND] Children with intractable functional constipation (FC) may eventually require surgery, often guided by motility testing. However, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the surgical management of intractable FC in children.

[AIM] To assess the diagnostic and surgical approach of pediatric surgeons and pediatric gastroenterologists towards children with intractable FC.

[METHODS] A survey was administered to physicians attending an international conference held simultaneously in Columbus (Ohio, USA) and Nijmegen (the Netherlands). The survey included 4 questions based on cases with anorectal and colonic manometry results.

[RESULTS] 74 physicians completed the questionnaire. Anorectal manometry was used by 70%; 52% of them would consider anal sphincter botulinum toxin injections for anal achalasia and 21% would use this to treat dyssynergia. Colonic manometry was used by 38%; 57% of them reported to use this to guide surgical decision-making. The surgical approach varied considerably among responders answering the case questions based on motility test results; the most commonly chosen treatments were antegrade continence enemas and anal botulinum injections.

[CONCLUSION] Surgical decision-making for children with intractable FC differs among physicians. There is a need for clinical guidelines regarding the role of anorectal and colonic manometry in surgical decision-making in children with intractable FC.