Original Article

Gallbladder and Gastric Motility in Patients with Idiopathic Slow-transit Constipation

Authors: Alp Gunay, MD, A. Kemal Gurbuz, MD, Yavuz Narin, MD, A. Melih Ozel, MD, Y. Yazgan, MD

Abstract

Objective: Idiopathic slow-transit constipation (STC) has been suggested to be a pangastrointestinal motility disorder. We investigated scintigraphically whether motility in the gallbladder and stomach was impaired in slow-transit constipation.


Methods: Twenty-four patients with STC were studied. Colon transit time, gallbladder motility, and solid-phase gastric emptying were measured by scintigraphy.


Results: Gallbladder dysmotility was observed in 8 of 18 (44.4%) patients. Mean gallbladder ejection fraction was 41.6 ± 13.6% (range, 16.3–67.0%). Gastric emptying was delayed in 9 of 18 (50%) patients. Mean solid-phase gastric half-emptying time was 75 minutes. STC may be associated with impaired function of other gastrointestinal organs. Approximately half of patients with STC presented gallbladder or gastric dysmotility.


Conclusion: STC may not be a pure colonic abnormality; it may be a component of a pangastrointestinal tract motility disorder involving several organs.

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