Loop colostomy to relieve debilitating chronic constipation in spina bifida patients: a case report

Abstract

Introduction and importance: Spina bifida often results in neurogenic bowel dysfunction due to the loss of sensory and motor control of the gastrointestinal tract. This dysfunction further leads to the difficulty of emptying the bowel, resulting in constipation. Therefore, a complication of spina bifida is chronic constipation. Long-standing constipation greatly affects the quality of life. Chronic constipation leads to loss of social and work opportunities, causes severe discomfort, and increases the potential for several secondary complications such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and urinary incontinence. Several treatment measures can be considered to relieve chronic constipation in order to improve the quality of life of patients with spina bifida. Case presentation: The purpose of this report is to present a rare case of an adult patient with spina bifida who underwent a loop colostomy procedure as a treatment option for her debilitating chronic constipation symptoms. The patient’s chronic constipation and associated symptoms led to an immense decrease in quality of life. After several failed attempts at relieving constipation, a loop colostomy procedure was conducted. Clinical discussion: A loop colostomy is a surgical procedure leading to exteriorization of the colon. As seen in this case, a loop colostomy can be considered as a curative option for chronic constipation specifically in patients with spina bifida. The surgical procedure alleviated chronic constipation and its associated symptoms. Conclusion: Chronic constipation and associated symptoms in adult patients with spina bifida can be treated with a loop colostomy procedure. This procedure is an innovative and helpful option for these specific patients. The possibility of increased quality of life in patients with impairing symptoms makes the loop colostomy procedure an optimistic treatment option.