Fecal Impaction

IN a society conscious of its bowels, enduring a fecal impaction and its treatment may be a severe humiliation. Impactions can occur in any age group, but in certain groups — especially incapacitated or institutionalized elderly people — the disorder is not only common but commonly overlooked.1 2 3 In one year-long study, 42 percent of the patients admitted to geriatric wards had a fecal impaction.4 Humiliation, however, is less important than the substantial morbidity and cost of this largely preventable problem.2 , 4 , 5 PathophysiologyFecal impaction's pathophysiologic considerations are identical to those of constipation, and the colon is the primary organ involved. The . . .