American Gastroenterological Association updates guidance on surgery for refractory constipation

The American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) released an update urging caution around surgery for refractory constipation. The update provides 14 best-practice advice statements for diagnosing and managing refractory constipation, emphasizing careful patient selection for surgical intervention. It highlights the need to exclude secondary causes, confirm slow colonic transit, and consider psychological factors before advising surgery, noting potential complications and unsatisfactory outcomes.