Abstract

MULETT VASQUEZ, Edelberto. Electrical Stimulation of the Colon in Patients with Constipation. Rev Col Gastroenterol [online]. 2015, vol.30, n.2, pp.199-204. ISSN 0120-9957.

Objective: The objective of this study is to present an overview of current treatments for constipation based on techniques to directly or indirectly stimulate the colon electrically. Sources: This study is based on searches of PubMed, ScienceDirect.com, and ISI Web of Knowledge using the keywords electrical stimulation of the colon and constipation. We considered studies of these techniques in humans and experimental studies aimed at intervening in colon motility patterns in children and adults. Principal Conclusions: Constipation is a disorder of gastrointestinal motility. Its etiology is multifactorial etiology, it has severe impacts on patient quality of life, and it is resistant to conventional therapy in many cases. Surgery, used in the most severe cases, has the risk of complications and the results are far from what is needed to cure the patients. Some drugs have been effective for treating milder cases, but have not been proven useful for more severe cases has. Other strategies have been developed to increase motility including various methods of electrical stimulation of the colon. This extensive review of the available literature is a starting point for focusing additional efforts in this area. Conclusion: Electrical stimulation of patients with severe constipation is a promising therapy to achieve restoration of colon function from the physiological point of view in the least invasive manner possible.

Keywords : Constipation; colonic inertia; electrical stimulation; colon; gastrointestinal motility; gastrointestinal transit.

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