Constipation: Etiology, Evaluation and Management

Constipation: aetiology, evaluation and manamgent provides a comprehensive and in-depth text on the aetiology, evaluation and management of chronic, intractable constipation. As well as being debilitating, constipation is a complaint with many causes and can also be a symptom of more serious pathological changes. With contributions from an international panel of authors, the book is divided into three basic sections: one on background information including aetiology, epidemiology and incidence; the second on evaluation; and the third on treatment. Novel chapters include those on biofeedback, surgery for constipation, sacral nerve stimulation, the use of laparoscopy for rectal prolapse, treament and our understanding of some of the psychological problems of these patients. Innovations include Norman Williams Malone procedure (antegrade continent colonic conduit) as well as the newer pharmacologic treatments such as nitric oxide and botulinum toxin injections. The book is written for coloproctologists, general surgeons and, with chapters on irritable bowel syndrome, botulinum toxin and other new pharmacologic approaches, will appeal to gastroenterologists.