Use of Gastrografin in the Management of Fecal Impaction in Patients With Severe Chronic Constipation

Fecal impaction (FI) is a common cause of lower gastrointestinal tract obstruction, and it is the result of chronic or severe constipation and most commonly found in the elderly population. Gastrografin is a water soluble contrast mediate that could act as an osmotic laxative. It has been shown to confer a therapeutic benefit in adhesive small bowel obstruction (SBO). The investigators speculate that gastrografin administrated orally may be more effective than enema in the treatment of fecal impaction induced intestinal obstruction.