Dr. Sylvester Yong’s 2011 Scientific Workshop

Colonic Irrigation: A Useful Alternative in Management of Constipation

 

 

A Therapeutic Challenge

  • Increasing prevalence with age
  • Variable presentation
  • Multiple Causes
  • Multiple + Associeted Symptoms
  • Adversely affect Quality of Life
  • May Impact Survival


Constipation Patho-Physiology

Dry Impacted Stool ~ Slow Transit ~ Colonic Inertia

SYMPTOMS

  • Straining
  • Irregular/Incomplete Bowel Movement
  • Associated symptoms Boating/Gas

FEATURES COMMON TO

  • Constipation
  • IBS – C
  • Functional Bowel Disorders
  • Bowel Related Diseases

Colonic Irrigation

Dry Impacted Stool ~ Slow Transit ~ Colonic Inertia

SYMPTOMS

HYDRATION ~ ACTIVATION ~ EVACUATION

Therapeutic Potential

  • Constipation
  • IBS – C
  • Functional Bowel Disorders
  • Bowel Related Diseases

Colon Irrigation Efficacy

Mode of Action
Procedure infuses water into the colon

HYDRATION
soften & loosen DRY IMPACTED STOOL

ACTIVATION
improved TRANSIT/PERSTALSIS

EVACUATION
initiate BOWEL MOVEMENT

Christensen P, et al. Dis Colon Rectum. 2003 Jan;46(1):68-76. Scientific assessment of retrograde colonic washout in fecal Incontinence & constipation.


Colonic Irrigation Safety

 

Instrument Safety

  • Water purity
  • Controls: Temp/Pressure/Flow
  • Use of Disposable
  • Built-in Disinfecting system

Procedure Safety

  • Trained therapists
  • Protocols
  • Supervision

Long term safety

  • Results from studies using various irrigation techniques

Christensen P, et al. Dis Colon Rectum. 2003 Jan;46(1):68-76. Scientific assessment of retrograde colonic washout in fecal Incontinence & constipation.
Faaborg PM, et al. Colorectal Dis. 2010 Jan. Anorectal function after long-term transanal colonic irrigation.


Colonic Irrigation Evidence

Studies indicating benefits:

  • Gardiner A, et al. Nurs Stand. 2004 Nov 10-16; 19(9):39-42.
    Rectal irrigation for relief of functional bowel disorders.
  • Tod AM, et al. Br J Nurs. 2007 Jul 26-Aug 8;16(14):858-64.
    Rectal irrigation in the management of functional bowel disorders: a review
  • McWilliams D. Nurs Standard. 2010 Mar 3-9;24(26):42-7.
    Rectal irrigation for patients with functional bowel disorders.
  • Koch SM, et al. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2009 Sep;24(9):1019-22.
    Retrograde colonic irrigation for faecal incontinence after low anterior resection

Constipation – Management Goals

 

 

Bowel Movement

  • Clinical improvement
  • Less use of laxatives

Relief of Symptoms

  • Straining/Hard stools
  • Incomplete evacuation
  • Abdomen discomfort

Address Patho-psysiology

  • Hydration
  • Contraction
  • Evacuation

Improved QoL

  • Relief from chronicity
  • Improved daily activities

Summary

Constipation remains a challenging problem. Current management options remain unsatisfactory especially in chronic cases. Colon irrigation is a simple and useful procedure that addresses the patho-physiology underlying constipation. Clinical studies to define its therapeutic potential in the management of constipation should be encouraged.

 
 

Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology

Vol 25 Suppl 2 – Sep 2010
ISSN: 0815-9319
Pg 82 Ref 319

Colonic Irrigation: a useful alternative in management of constipation (Abstract)

The management of constipation remains a challenge in clinical practice. Prescription medicine such as the use of laxatives and bulking agents offers some level of relief but are not always effective. Treatment options in chronic cases include biofeedback therapy, colonic lavage and manual evacuation. These too offer only limited and unsatisfactory results (1).

Colonic irrigation using different approaches have been demonstrated to be useful in the treatment of functional constipation (2) (3) (4) and various bowel related problems (5) (9). The procedure infuses water into the colon to facilitate the evacuation of bowel contents. Water hydrates (soften and loosen) bowel contents and activates peristaltic activity resulting in spontaneous bowel movement and evacuation of bowel contents. Although not regularly recommended, studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects of colonic washout in the treatment of constipation and faecal incontinence (6) (7) (8).

With the availability of modern instruments incorporating safety designs that meets F.D.A. guidelines, a more serious look at colonic irrigation as a useful alternative in management of constipation should be considered. Design of instrument also provide for the observation of the discharging waste and offers a more objective means of assessing the outcome of therapy.

In this paper, the results of patients suffering from chronic constipation who have not responded satisfactorily to conventional therapy and had colonic irrigation carried out on them are reported. In the majority of cases, symptomatic relief and improvement were noted. Details of the procedure and the rationale for recommending the procedure will be discussed.

Conclusion: Colonic irrigation can be a useful alternative in the management of constipation. It is a simple procedure yet its therapeutic potential remains unexplored. Clinical studies should be undertaken to ascertain the safety and efficacy of the procedure and to consider its use as an alternative option in the management of constipation.

References:
(1) J. F. Johanson; J. Kralstein. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2007; Pg 25(5):599-608. Chronic Constipation: A Survey of the Patient Perspective
(2) Gardiner A, Marshall J, Duthie G. Nurs Stand. 2004 Nov 10-16;19(9):39-42. Rectal irrigation for relief of functional bowel disorders
(3) Tod AM, et al. Br J Nurs. 2007 Jul 26-Aug 8;16(14):858-64. Rectal irrigation in the management of functional bowel disorders: a review
(4) McWilliams D. Nurs Standard. 2010 Mar 3-9;24(26):42-7. Rectal irrigation for patients with functional bowel disorders.
(5) Koch SM, et al. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2009 Sep;24(9):1019-22. Retrograde colonic irrigation for faecal incontinence after low anterior resection
(6) Christensen P, et al. Dis Colon Rectum. 2009 Feb; 52(2):286-92. Long-term outcome and safety of transanal irrigation for constipation and fecal incontinence.
(7) Faaborg PM, et al. Colorectal Dis. 2010 Jan. Anorectal function after long-term transanal colonic irrigation.
(8) Christensen P, et al. Dis Colon Rectum. 2003 Jan;46(1):68-76. Scientific assessment of retrograde colonic washout in fecal Incontinence & constipation.
(9) Sacha M. Koch et al. Colonic irrigation for defecation disorders after dynamic disorders after dynamic graciloplasty Int J Colorectal Dis (2008) 32:195-200


CONSTIPATION

A common yet challenging problem

  • One of the most common GI conditions
  • High prevalence
  • Elderly prevalence of up to 50%
  • Rx remain unsatisfactory especially in Chronic Constipation
  • Negative impact on QoL
  • Impact on survival

J. F. Johanson; J. Kralstein. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 2007; Pg 25(5):599-608. Chronic Constipation: A Survey of the Patient Perspective

Constipation Causes

Constipation type

Many causes identified as IDIOPATHIC

Colonic inertia (slow transit) 75%

  • Dysfunctional neuromusc coordination
  • Chronic use of laxatives
  • Part of generalized disorder

Functional outlet obstruction

  • Intrarectal intussuception
  • Perineal descent
  • Spastic pelvic floor (anismus)

IBS-Constipation predominant

**Treatment options vary with type of constipation**


Constipation Presentation

Symptom
obvious to patient, may not be bothersome

Problem
may not be obvious to patient, may be considered as not important

Disease
causes discomfort/need relief


Clinical Picture

Variable symptoms

  • Infrequent/Irregular
  • difficult/incomplete bowel movements
  • hard stool/pellet

Associated complaints

  • Discomfort
  • Bloatedness
  • Distension
  • Pain

Variable Clinical Picture

 

 

Onset type

  • Acute
  • intermittent
  • chronic
  • Acute on Chronic

Severity

  • mild
  • Severe (protracted)

Patho-physiology

  • Normal transit
  • Slow transit
  • Pelvic for dyssynergia

Drug/Disease related

Constipation Morbidity

  • Distress
  • Discomfort
  • Dissatisfaction with Rx
  • Decreased Quality of Life
  • Decreased Survival

Management issues – to address

Primary problem
Constipation

Associated problems
Discomfort, Distension, Gas, Functional problems, Parasites, Yeast, Food intolerance, Flora imbalance, Intestinal permeability, Systemic problem

Contributing factors
Habits, Exercise, Medication, Dentition, Water intake, Fiber intake, Eating habits, Stress


Management Options

Laxatives | Biofeedback
Colonic lavage | Manual evacuation | Surgery


Management Issues

  • Rx Unsatisfactory
  • Limited Efficacy
  • Does not address underlying cause
  • Varying severity of problem
  • No objective assessment tool

Laxatives

  • Cornerstone of Rx
  • Important to understand why it is useful

Management Goals

  • Symptomatic relief: *Constipation*Associated symptoms*
  • Induce bowel movement
  • Improved bowel function
  • Avoid complication/disease/surgery
  • Reduced medication
  • Improved QoL
  • Reduced morbidity
  • Reduced co-morbidity eg. Cancer, death

Colon Irrigation

A Useful Option

  • Description
  • History
  • Potential effects in improving constipation
  • Mode of action
  • Safety issues

Colon Irrigation

  • Different techniques
  • Rx of functional constipation
  • Rx of bowel related problems
  • Rx of constipation and feacal incontinence
  • Bowel prep for Colonoscopy/Surgery

Gardiner A, et al. Nurs Stand. 2004 Nov 10-16; 19(9):39-42.
Rectal irrigation for relief of functional bowel disorders.
Tod AM, et al. Br J Nurs. 2007 Jul 26-Aug 8;16(14):858-64.
Rectal irrigation in the management of functional bowel disorders: a review
McWilliams D. Nurs Standard. 2010 Mar 3-9;24(26):42-7.
Rectal irrigation for patients with functional bowel disorders.
Koch SM, et al. Int J Colorectal Dis. 2009 Sep;24(9):1019-22.
Retrograde colonic irrigation for faecal incontinence after low anterior resection


Colon irrigation, also called colon hydrotherapy…

is a variant of enema treatment, which involves flushing of the bowel with water in different quantities, temperature and pressures. Through a tube inserted via the rectum, water may be introduced alone or with added enzymes, coffee, probiotics, or herbs. Treatment sessions usually last about an hour. During a “high colonic,” water goes in through one tube in the colon and is removed along with debris through another tube called an obturator.

Extract from a monograph prepared by professional staff at Natural Standard, based on systematic review of scientific evidence. The material was reviewed by the Faculty of Harvard Medical School.Christensen P, et al. Dis Colon Rectum. 2003 Jan;46(1):68-76. Scientific assessment of retrograde colonic washout in fecal Incontinence & constipation.

Potential Benefits

  • Assist with bowel movement
  • Symptomatic relief
  • Lesser use of laxatives
  • Improve Quality of Life
  • Others

Procedure Benefits

Cleansing

  • Immediate relief
  • On-going maintenance/prevention

Education

  • Prevent (avoid) problem/symptoms
  • Improve function
  • Improve health & wellbeing
  • Improved Quality of Life

Colon Irrigation Concerns

Evidence of Efficacy

Evidence of Safety

E. Ernst Int Clin Pract. 2010;64(4):429-431.2010 Colonic Irrigation: Therapeutic Claims by Professional Organisations, a Review

Instrument Safety

FDA Registered Instrument

Water quality
Controls: Temperature/pressure/flow
Hygiene & Sanitation

Procedure Safety

Qualification

Training standards
Adherence to medical guidelines
Following medical protocol

Long Term Safety

Christensen P, et al. Dis Colon Rectum. 2009 Feb; 52(2):286-92. Long-term outcome and safety of transanal irrigation for constipation and fecal incontinence.
Faaborg PM, et al. Colorectal Dis. 2010 Jan. Anorectal function after long-term transanal colonic irrigation.


Securing Evidence to support Colon Irrigation remains a challenge

Opportunities exist because…

  • Limited options of Rx of constipation
  • Growing problem of FBD (Functional Bowel disorders)
  • Inefficacy and abuse of laxatives
  • Potential benefits of colon irrigation
  • Interest in the procedure remain prevalent
  • Increasing number of clinical publications

Threat remains unless…

  • The practice of colon hydrotherapy secures a level of medical credibility for itself
  • More publication and presentation are available to explain the potentials of the procedure
  • Better communication is established internally and externally to gain support and share resources
  • Internal consensus to be developed to promote unity in thoughts and actions relating to all aspects of the practice of colon hydrotherapy

FBD-Constipation

  • Report at Digestive Disease Week, L.A.
  • Results of Global survey of constipation
  • 13,879 participants from 4 continents
  • 12% population worldwide suffers from it
  • Asia-Pacific region and Americans highest incidence at mean of 17.3%
  • Europe on 8.75%
  • Asian lowest use of laxatives 2 in 10
  • 40% resorted to lifestyle modification as Rx

Dr. Sylvester Yong
therapy@pacific.net.sg