Subtotal Resection of the Colon for Treatment of Decompensated Dolichocolon: A Case Study

Dolichocolon is the most common anomaly of the colon, occurring in 15–20% of adults with chronic constipation. In decompensated forms of the disease, conservative therapy is ineffective, which requires surgical intervention. We have described a clinical case of successful surgical treatment of a 59-year-old female patient with decompensated dolichocolon. The duration of constipation was 14–20 days, conservative therapy was ineffective. X-ray examination with Napalkov test revealed a significant slowdown in the passage of the contrast agent — evacuation began only after 102 hours. Subtotal resection of the colon with appendectomy, 180° bowel rotation and ascendo-rectal anastomosis were performed. The length of the removed gross specimen was 120 cm. In the postoperative period stool frequency normalized (2–3 times per day without laxatives). One-year follow-up has shown good functional results and significant improvement of patient's quality of life.