Correlation between elongated sigmoid colon and colonic transit time

Abstract

Introduction. Constipation is a common problem in childhood. Pathogenesis of the disease aften remains unclear. Objective To evaluate the influence of elongated sigmoid colon to colonic transit time (CTT). Methods of research. Children, who were treated in the Pediatric Surgery clinic of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences in 2011-2015 for treatment resistant constipation, were included in the study. According to the results of hydrocolonic sonography testing, children were divided into two groups 1) children who had sigmoid colon with an extra loop 2) children with normal sigmoid colon. CTT study was performed according to the A.M. Metcalf methodology. Results. 1 gr. consisted of 20 children (13 boys), 2 gr. - 20 (12 boys). The median age was 11.7 years. CTT was significantly greater in the 1 gr. when compared to the 2 gr. 45.8 hours and 39.3 hours respectively. Based on the ROC test optimal CTT was 44 hours. CTT > 44 hours was observed in 18 (90.0%) children in the 1 gr. and 6 (30.0%) children in the 2 gr. Therefore, we can predict that children with elongation of sigmoid colon OR [95%CI] is greater 21.0 that CTT would be > 44 hours. Conclusions. The sigmoid colon elongation increases the overall CTT and may be one of the reasons causing or aggravating chronic constipation.