Effects of Preoperative Cleaning Enema on Postoperative Constipation in Patients Receiving Selec- tive Thoracolumbar Operation

Objective To investigate the effects of preoperative cleaning enema on postoperative constipation of patients who received selective thoracolumbar operation. Methods With other factors causing constipation adjusted,205 non-paralytic patient who received thoracolumbar operation were divided into two groups at random. 103 patients were given an preoperative enema, while the other 102 patients were not given an preoperative enema. The incidences of constipation were analyzed statistically. Results Constipation occurred in 12 patients of the preoperative enema group, and in 30 patients of the non-enema group ( P 0. 01). Moreover, it was more convenient to treat constipation in the preoperative enema patients than in the non-enema patients. Conclusion Preoperative cleaning enema is an effective way of reducing postoperative constipation in patients who received spinal operation.