Comparison of two types of colectomy in treating slow transit constipation with or without melanosis coli

AIM: To compare the follow-up outcomes of ileosigmoidal anastomosis(ISA) and caecorectal anastomosis(CRA) in patients with slow transit constipation(STC) with or without melanosis coli(MC).METHODS: We collected the clinical data of 48 STC patients with or without MC from May 2002 to May 2007.Twenty-six patients underwent CRA(14 with MC) and 22 cases received ISA(14 with MC).A 3-year postoperative follow-up was conducted.RESULTS: CRA improved the quality of life [evaluated by the gastrointestinal quality of life index(GIQLI)] in patients without MC,but was inferior to ISA in stool frequency and Wexner and GIQLI scores for MC patients.In the CRA group,patients with MC suffered worse outcomes than those without MC.CONCLUSION: CRA is more suitable for STC patients without MC; however,for STC patients with MC,ISA is a better choice.