Approach to Chronic Pelvic Pain for the Colorectal Surgeon

Thirty-five-year-old female presents with a history of chronic constipation, gastroparesis, chronic lower abdominal pain, and anxiety. She is diagnosed with colonic inertia and undergoes a total abdominal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis. She initially does well with resolution of her constipation; however, she continues to complain of persistent lower abdominal pain, debilitating enough to keep her from working at full capacity.