Fecal impaction

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Fecal impaction
Journal.pmed.1000092.g002 fecal impaction.png
Plain abdominal X-ray showing a large fecal impaction extending from the pelvis upwards to the left subphrenic space and from the left towards the right flank, measuring over 40 cm in length and 33 cm in width.
Specialty Gastroenterology

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] Fecal impaction is a common result of neurogenic bowel dysfunction and causes immense discomfort and pain. Commonly affected populations include the elderly and chronically ill, especially those with neuropsychiatric diseases. [3] It is estimated that 50% of elderly patients in geriatric wards and nursing homes suffer from fecal impaction in the course of a year. [4] Treatment includes laxatives, enemas, and pulsed irrigation evacuation (PIE) as well as digital removal. It is not a condition that resolves without direct treatment.

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of a fecal impaction include the following: [ citation needed ]

Complications include bowel obstruction, necrosis and ulcers of the rectal tissue, stercoral colitis, fistula formation, colonic perforation, hemorrhage, and sepsis. [5] As fecal impaction tends to affect elderly and chronically ill populations, if it is left untreated the complications can prove to be fatal. [6]

Causes

There are many possible causes; these include a long period of physical inactivity, failure to consume adequate dietary fiber, dehydration, and deliberate retention of fecal matter. [7]

Opioids such as fentanyl, buprenorphine, methadone, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and hydromorphone as well as certain sedatives that reduce intestinal movement may cause fecal matter to become too large, hard and/or dry to expel. [8]

Specific conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, certain neurological disorders, paralytic ileus, gastroparesis, diabetes, enlarged prostate gland, distended colon, an ingested foreign object, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and colitis, and autoimmune diseases such as amyloidosis, celiac disease, lupus, and scleroderma can cause a fecal impaction. [9] Hypothyroidism can also cause chronic constipation because of sluggish, slower, or weaker colon contractions. Iron supplements or increased blood calcium levels are also potential causes. Spinal cord injury is a common cause of constipation, due to ileus. [10]

Diagnosis

A thorough, directed history and physical examination should be obtained in all patients presenting with signs and symptoms of fecal impaction. During the physical examination, special attention should be paid to the abdominal and anorectal components. [11] Digital rectal examination can reveal "palpable impacted feces" in the rectal ampulla. The anorectal area should be evaluated for the presence of blood and ulcers and if feces is encountered the size and consistency should be assessed. [5]

Diagnostic imaging can be used in evaluation of fecal impaction and its complications.

Prevention

Prevention is the best way to avoid the complications of fecal impaction. Ways to reduce fecal burden include reducing or replacing opiates, adequate intake of water, dietary fiber, and exercise. [1]

For patients that are in nursing homes or in a medical facility for a prolonged period of time, there should be daily recordings of bowel movements and the use of stool softeners should be encouraged. For patients that are bedridden or have a baseline demented mental status, instilling a fiber restricted diet and cleansing enemas weekly is a strategy of managing bowel function. [5]

After a fecal disimpaction, a bowel regimen that encourages a bowel movement at least once every other day is recommended. Pharmacotherapy such as sorbitol, lactulose, PEG solution, or a combination may be implemented with the use of bisacodyl or glycerin suppositories if the goal for bowel movements is not reached. [5] [3]

Treatment

Decreased motility of the colon results in dry, hard stools that in the case of fecal impaction become compacted into a large, hard mass of stool that cannot be expelled from the rectum. [14]

Various methods of treatment attempt to remove the impaction by softening the stool, lubricating the stool, or breaking it into pieces small enough for removal. [15] Enemas and osmotic laxatives can be used to soften the stool by increasing the water content until the stool is soft enough to be expelled. [16] Osmotic laxatives such as magnesium citrate work within minutes to eight hours for onset of action, and even then they may not be sufficient to expel the stool. [17]

Osmotic laxatives can cause cramping and even severe pain as the patient's attempts to evacuate the contents of the rectum are blocked by the fecal mass. [18] Polyethylene glycol (PEG 3350) may be used to increase the water content of the stool without cramping. [19] This may take 24 to 48 hours, however, and it is not well suited to cases where the impaction needs to be removed immediately due to risk of complications or severe pain. [20] Enemas (such as hyperosmotic saline) and suppositories (such as glycerine suppositories) work by increasing water content and stimulating peristalsis to aid in expulsion, and both work much more quickly than oral laxatives. [21]

Because enemas work in 2–15 minutes, they do not allow sufficient time for a large fecal mass to soften. [22] Even if the enema is successful at dislodging the impacted stool, the impacted stool may remain too large to be expelled through the anal canal. Mineral oil enemas can assist by lubricating the stool for easier passage. [23] In cases where enemas fail to remove the impaction, polyethylene glycol can be used to attempt to soften the mass over 24–48 hours, [24] or if immediate removal of the mass is needed, manual disimpaction may be used. Manual disimpaction may be performed by lubricating the anus and using one gloved finger with a scoop-like motion to break up the fecal mass. [25] Most often manual disimpaction is performed without general anaesthesia, although sedation may be used. [26] In more involved procedures, general anaesthesia may be used, although the use of general anaesthesia increases the risk of damage to the anal sphincter. If all other treatments fail, surgery may be necessary. [27]

Another treatment method makes use of an enema and manual disimpaction via pulsed irrigation evacuation (PIE). [28] By using pulsating water to enter into the colon to soften and break down the dense mass, PIE treats fecal impaction. [29]

Research shows that pulsed irrigation evacuation with the PIE MED device is successful in all tested patients in studies, making pulsed irrigation evacuation the most effective and reliable form of fecal impaction treatment. [29] [30]

Individuals who have had one fecal impaction are at high risk of future impactions. [31] Therefore, preventive treatment should be instituted in patients following the removal of the mass. [32] Increasing dietary fiber, increasing fluid intake, exercising daily, and attempting regularly to defecate every morning after eating should be promoted in all patients. [33]

Often underlying medical conditions cause fecal impactions; these conditions should be treated to reduce the risk of future impactions. [34] Many types of medications (most notably opioid pain medications, such as codeine) reduce motility of the colon, increasing the likelihood of fecal impactions. [35] If possible, alternate medications should be prescribed that avoid the side effect of constipation. [36]

Given that all opioids can cause constipation, [37] it is recommended that any patient placed on opioid pain medications be given medications to prevent constipation before it occurs. [38] Daily medications can also be used to promote normal motility of the colon and soften stools. [39] Daily use of laxatives or enemas should be avoided by most individuals as it can cause the loss of normal colon motility. [40] However, for patients with chronic complications, daily medication under the direction of a physician may be needed. [41]

Polyethylene glycol 3350 can be taken daily to soften the stools without the significant risk of adverse effects that are common with other laxatives. [42] In particular, stimulant laxatives should not be used frequently because they can cause dependence in which an individual loses normal colon function and is unable to defecate without taking a laxative. [43] Frequent use of osmotic laxatives should be avoided as well as they can cause electrolyte imbalances. [44]

Fecaloma

A fecaloma is a more extreme form of fecal impaction, giving the accumulation an appearance of a tumor. [45]

A fecaloma can develop as the fecal matter gradually stagnates and accumulates in the intestine and increases in volume until the intestine becomes deformed. [46] It may occur in chronic obstruction of stool transit, as in megacolon [47] and chronic constipation. Some diseases, such as Chagas disease, Hirschsprung's disease and others damage the autonomic nervous system in the colon's mucosa (Auerbach's plexus) and may cause extremely large or "giant" fecalomas, which must be surgically removed (disimpaction). Rarely, a fecalith will form around a hairball (Trichobezoar), or other absorbent or desiccant core.[ citation needed ]

It can be diagnosed by:

Distal or sigmoid, fecalomas can often be disimpacted digitally or by a catheter which carries a flow of disimpaction fluid (water or other solvent or lubricant). Surgical intervention in the form of sigmoid colectomy [48] or proctocolectomy and ileostomy [49] may be required only when all conservative measures of evacuation fail. Attempts at removal can have severe and even lethal effects, such as the rupture of the colon wall by catheter or an acute angle of the fecaloma (stercoral perforation), followed by sepsis. It may also lead to stercoral perforation, a condition characterized by bowel perforation due to pressure necrosis from a fecal mass or fecaloma. [50] [51]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Constipation". The Lecturio Medical Concept Library. Retrieved 10 July 2021.
  2. ↑ (UK), National Collaborating Centre for Acute Care (2007). Faecal incontinence the management of faecal incontinence in adults. London: National Collaborating Centre for Acute Care (UK). ISBN   978-0-9549760-4-0.[ page needed ]
  3. 1 2 Serrano Falcón, Blanca; Barceló López, Marta; Mateos Muñoz, Beatriz; Álvarez Sánchez, Angel; Rey, Enrique (2016). "Fecal impaction: a systematic review of its medical complications". BMC Geriatrics. 16 (1) 4. doi: 10.1186/s12877-015-0162-5 . ISSN   1471-2318. PMC   4709889 . PMID   26754969.
  4. ↑ Barcelo, Marta; Jimenez-Cebrian, Maria Jose; Diaz-Rubio, Manuel; Rocha, Alberto Lopez; Rey, Enrique (2013-03-07). "Validation of a questionnaire for assessing fecal impaction in the elderly: impact of cognitive impairment, and using a proxy". BMC Geriatrics. 13 (1): 24. doi: 10.1186/1471-2318-13-24 . ISSN   1471-2318. PMC   3599666 . PMID   23496919.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Zainea, George; Fowler (2020). "Management of Fecal Impaction". Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care (4th ed.). Ebook: Elsevier. pp. 1382–1383. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-47633-1.00208-8 (inactive 3 November 2025). ISBN   0323476333.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2025 (link)
  6. ↑ Sommers, Thomas; Petersen, Travis; Singh, Prashant; Rangan, Vikram; Hirsch, William; Katon, Jesse; Ballou, Sarah; Cheng, Vivian; Friedlander, Daniel; Nee, Judy; Lembo, Anthony; Iturrino, Johanna (2019). "Significant Morbidity and Mortality Associated with Fecal Impaction in Patients Who Present to the Emergency Department". Digestive Diseases and Sciences. 64 (5): 1320–1327. doi:10.1007/s10620-018-5394-8. ISSN   0163-2116. PMC   6499648 . PMID   30535766.
  7. ↑ "Constipation - Symptoms and Causes". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  8. ↑ "Opioid-Induced Constipation". Merck Manual Consumer Version. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  9. ↑ "Fecal Impaction". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  10. ↑ "Symptoms & Causes of Constipation". National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). Retrieved 21 November 2025.
  11. ↑ Alavi, Karim; Thorsen, Amy J.; Fang, Sandy H.; Burgess, Pamela L.; Trevisani, Gino; Lightner, Amy L.; Feingold, Daniel L.; Paquette, Ian M.; On behalf of the Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (2024). "The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Constipation" . Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. 67 (10): 1244–1257. doi:10.1097/DCR.0000000000003430. ISSN   0012-3706. PMID   39250791.
  12. ↑ Federle, Michael; Lau, James (2018). "Stercoral Colitis and Fecal Impaction.". Imaging in Abdominal Surgery. Elsevier Inc. p. 266. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-61135-0.50123-4 (inactive 3 November 2025). ISBN   9780323611367.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of November 2025 (link)
  13. 1 2 Fagelman, D; Warhit, JM; Reiter, JD; Geiss, AC (June 1984). "CT diagnosis of fecaloma". Journal of Computer Assisted Tomography. 8 (3): 559–61. doi:10.1097/00004728-198406000-00040. PMID   6725706.
  14. ↑ Sharma, S; Hashmi, A (2021). "Fecal impaction in adults: A review of pathophysiology and management". Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 55 (3): 205–212. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001489.
  15. ↑ Stewart, J (2019). "Management of fecal impaction: Clinical evidence review". American Family Physician. 100 (3): 159–166.
  16. ↑ Leung, F.W. (2007). "Etiology, evaluation, and management of constipation in older adults". Geriatrics. 62 (2): 30–37.
  17. ↑ "Magnesium citrate: Laxative use and onset of action". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  18. ↑ DiPalma, J.A. (2003). "Osmotic laxatives: Mechanism and adverse effects". Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics. 17 (8): 1127–1136. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2036.2003.01560.x.
  19. ↑ Ramkumar, D.; Rao, S.S.C. (2005). "Efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol 3350 in constipation". Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 3 (4): 399–408. doi:10.1016/S1542-3565(04)00754-3.
  20. ↑ "Constipation: Treatment". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  21. ↑ Thomas, J. (2008). "Enemas, suppositories and rectal preparations: A clinical overview". British Journal of Nursing. 17 (3): 174–180. doi:10.12968/bjon.2008.17.3.28334.
  22. ↑ "Enemas: Clinical use and timing". Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  23. ↑ Loening-Baucke, V. (1998). "Chronic constipation and fecal impaction". The New England Journal of Medicine. 339 (10): 651–658. doi:10.1056/NEJM199809033391007.
  24. ↑ Barucha, A.E. (2014). "Fecal impaction and its management". Current Gastroenterology Reports. 16 (8): 397. doi:10.1007/s11894-014-0397-2.
  25. ↑ Takano, M. (2015). "Manual disimpaction: Indications, techniques, and complications". International Journal of Colorectal Disease. 30 (12): 1649–1655. doi:10.1007/s00384-015-2305-2.
  26. ↑ Gardiner, A. (2012). "Procedural sedation and analgesia for anorectal emergencies". Emergency Medicine Journal. 29 (6): 482–487. doi:10.1136/emermed-2011-200143.
  27. ↑ Singh, P. (2013). "Surgical management of refractory fecal impaction". Techniques in Coloproctology. 17 (5): 577–583. doi:10.1007/s10151-013-1014-x.
  28. ↑ Yaseen, Z. (2011). "Pulsed irrigation evacuation system in treatment of fecal impaction". Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 212 (3): 425–430. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2010.11.017.
  29. 1 2 Kokoszka, J.; Nelson, R.; Falconio, M.; Abcarian, H. (February 1994). "Treatment of fecal impaction with pulsed irrigation enhanced evacuation". Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. 37 (2): 161–164. doi:10.1007/BF02047540. ISSN   0012-3706. PMID   8306838. S2CID   22941386.
  30. ↑ Puet, Terry A.; Phen, Lovsho; Hurst, Dorothy L. (1991-10-01). "Pulsed irrigation enhanced evacuation: New method for treating fecal impaction" . Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 72 (11): 935–936. doi:10.1016/0003-9993(91)90015-B. ISSN   0003-9993. PMID   1929815.
  31. ↑ Sharma, S; Hashmi, A (2021). "Fecal impaction in adults: A review of pathophysiology and management". Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 55 (3): 205–212. doi:10.1097/MCG.0000000000001489.
  32. ↑ Stewart, J (2019). "Management of fecal impaction: Clinical evidence review". American Family Physician. 100 (3): 159–166.
  33. ↑ "Constipation: Treatment". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  34. ↑ Barucha, A.E. (2014). "Fecal impaction and its management". Current Gastroenterology Reports. 16 (8): 397. doi:10.1007/s11894-014-0397-2.
  35. ↑ Camilleri, M (2014). "Opioid-induced constipation: Prevalence, pathophysiology, and management". Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. 20 (2): 185–196. doi:10.5056/jnm.2014.20.2.185.
  36. ↑ Camilleri, M (2014). "Opioid-induced constipation: Prevalence, pathophysiology, and management". Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility. 20 (2): 185–196. doi:10.5056/jnm.2014.20.2.185.
  37. ↑ Opioid#Constipation
  38. ↑ Lacy, B.E. (2016). "Management of chronic constipation in adults". American Journal of Gastroenterology. 111 (5): 580–592. doi:10.1038/ajg.2016.87.
  39. ↑ Lacy, B.E. (2016). "Management of chronic constipation in adults". American Journal of Gastroenterology. 111 (5): 580–592. doi:10.1038/ajg.2016.87.
  40. ↑ "Constipation: Treatment". Mayo Clinic. Retrieved 2025-11-21.
  41. ↑ Lacy, B.E. (2016). "Management of chronic constipation in adults". American Journal of Gastroenterology. 111 (5): 580–592. doi:10.1038/ajg.2016.87.
  42. ↑ Ramkumar, D.; Rao, S.S.C. (2005). "Efficacy and safety of polyethylene glycol 3350 in constipation". Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 3 (4): 399–408. doi:10.1016/S1542-3565(04)00754-3.
  43. ↑ Joo JS, Ehrenpreis ED, Gonzalez L, et al. (June 1998). "Alterations in colonic anatomy induced by chronic stimulant laxatives: the cathartic colon revisited". Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 26 (4): 283–6. doi:10.1097/00004836-199806000-00014. PMID   9649012.
  44. ↑ Gordon, M. (2019). "Adverse effects of laxatives in adults". Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. 10: 1–12. doi:10.1177/2042098619855371.
  45. ↑ "Fecaloma". Farlex medical dictionary. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  46. ↑ Yucel, AF; Akdogan, RA; Gucer, H (February 2012). "A giant abdominal mass: fecaloma". Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology. 10 (2): e9 –E10. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2011.06.030 . PMID   21749849.
  47. ↑ Rajagopal, A; Martín, J (June 2002). "Giant fecaloma with idiopathic sigmoid megacolon: report of a case and review of the literature". Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. 45 (6): 833–5. doi:10.1007/s10350-004-6306-x. PMID   12072639. S2CID   19185688.
  48. ↑ Garisto, JD; Campillo, L; Edwards, E; Harbour, M; Ermocilla, R (5 February 2009). "Giant fecaloma in a 12-year-old-boy: a case report". Cases Journal. 2 (1): 127. doi: 10.1186/1757-1626-2-127 . PMC   2642792 . PMID   19196473.
  49. ↑ Altomare, DF; Rinaldi, M; Sallustio, PL; Armenise, N (March 2009). "Giant fecaloma in an adult with severe anal stricture caused by anal imperforation treated by proctocolectomy and ileostomy: report of a case". Diseases of the Colon and Rectum. 52 (3): 534–7. doi:10.1007/DCR.0b013e318199db36. PMID   19333059.
  50. ↑ Kumar, P; Pearce, O; Higginson, A (January 2011). "Imaging manifestations of faecal impaction and stercoral perforation". Clinical Radiology. 66 (1): 83–8. doi:10.1016/j.crad.2010.08.002. PMID   21147303.
  51. ↑ Hsiao, TF; Chou, YH (January 2010). "Stercoral perforation of colon: a rare but important mimicker of acute appendicitis". The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 28 (1): 112.e1–2. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2009.02.024. PMID   20006219.

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