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A fecal impaction or an impacted bowel is a solid, immobile bulk of feces that can develop in the rectum as a result of chronic constipation [1] (a related term is fecal loading which refers to a large volume of stool in the rectum of any consistency). [2]
Functional constipation, also known as chronic idiopathic constipation (CIC), is defined by less than three bowel movements per week, hard stools, severe straining, the sensation of anorectal blockage, the feeling of incomplete evacuation, and the need for manual maneuvers during feces, without organic abnormalities.
This has resulted, for example, in a six-year-old boy needing to have his colon removed and a colostomy bag fitted, [108] [109] complaints to the FDA reporting life-threatening reactions, [110] and even death. [111]
In later stages of constipation, the abdomen may become distended, hard and diffusely tender. Severe cases ("fecal impaction" or malignant constipation) may exhibit symptoms of bowel obstruction (nausea, vomiting, tender abdomen) and encopresis, where soft stool from the small intestine bypasses the mass of impacted fecal matter in the colon.
It can form secondary to fecal impaction. A fecaloma is a more severe form of fecal impaction, and a hardened fecaloma may be considered a giant fecalith. The term is from the Greek líthos =stone.
Complications, including infection, urinary retention, bleeding, anastomotic dehiscence (opening of the stitched edges inside), rectal stricture (narrowing of the gut lumen), diarrhea, and fecal impaction occur in 6-32% of cases. [5] [10] Mortality occurs in 0–2.5% cases. [10] There is a higher recurrence rate than abdominal approaches (7-26% ...
In veterinary medicine rectal examination is useful in dogs for analysis of the prostate (as in men), pelvic urethra, sublumbar lymph nodes, and anal glands. In horses it is a vital component of the clinical examination for colic , to determine the presence or absence of bowel torsion, impaction , or displacement.
ODS often occurs together with fecal incontinence, especially in geriatric people. [39] Where ODS occurs with fecal incontinence, it may represent fecal impaction combined with overflow diarrhea (overflow incontinence). [39] Self-digitation (digital help) is the use of the digits (fingers) to apply pressure in order to achieve defecation.