Definitions and Epidemiology of Constipation -- Etiology of Congenital Colorectal Disease -- Etiology of Acquired Colorectal Disease: Constipation -- Extracolonic Causes of Constipation -- Initial Evaluation of Constipation -- Constipation-Predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- Methods to Measure Small-Bowel and Colonic Transit -- Anorectal Manometry and the Rectoanal Inhibitory Reflex -- Defecography: Technique, Interpretation, and Current Use -- Compliance and Manovolumetry -- Electromyography and Pudendal Nerve Terminal Motor Latency -- Dynamic Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Nuclear Imaging -- Biofeedback for Constipation -- Medical Treatment of Constipation -- Surgical Treatment of Colonic Inertia -- Botulinum Toxin and Other New Pharmacologic Approaches to Constipation -- Sacral Nerve Stimulation -- Surgical Treatment of Rectocele: Colorectal Approaches -- Surgical Treatment of Rectocele: Gynecologic Approaches -- Perineal Procedures for Rectal Prolapse -- Constipation and Rectal Prolapse -- Laparoscopic Surgery for Rectal Prolapse -- Antegrade Continent Colonic Conduit -- Surgical Treatment of Hirschsprung’s Disease -- Chagasic Megacolon -- Surgical Treatment of Puborectalis Hypertrophy.

The second edition of Constipation is a comprehensive text on the etiology, evaluation, and management of chronic, intractable constipation. As well as being debilitating, constipation is a complaint with many causes and can also be a symptom of more serious pathological changes. Innovations include Professor Norman Williams’s Malone Procedure (antegrade continent colonic conduit) as well as the newer pharmacologic treatments such as nitric oxide and botulinum toxin injections. The book is written by an international panel of expert authors. All of the new advances developed, described, and tested since writing the first edition are included. Novel chapters include those on biofeedback, surgery for constipation, sacral nerve stimulation, the use of laparoscopy for rectal prolapse, and treament and understanding of some of the psychological problems of patients affected by this condition. This book is essential for coloproctologists, colorectal surgeons and general surgeons. In addition, the chapters on irritable bowel syndrome, botulinum toxin and other new pharmacologic approaches will appeal to gastroenterologists.