Is Constipation a Surgical Disease: A Great Debate

Monday, May 11, 2026

1:20 PM - 2:10 PM ET

Co-Moderator(s)

Craig H. Olson, MD

Colorectal Surgeon
Baylor Scott and White Waxahachie
Texas A&M Medical School
Waxahachie, Texas, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.
Liliana Bordeianou, MD, MPHFASCRS

Professor of Surgery
Harvard Medical School; Mass General Brigham Division Colon and Rectal Surgery
Harvard
Boston, MA, United States

Disclosure information not submitted.

CME .75 hours

Constipation is a common and often difficult patient concern to manage. Join the great debate to learn when surgery might be an option in its treatment, and when it is not in the patient's or surgeon's best interest! Speakers will debate the pros and cons of operations for colonic inertia and obstructive defecation and review relevant cases.

Learning Objectives:

Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Determine the difference between slow transit constipation and obstructive defecation and understand the different surgical approaches to these disease processes.
Recognize indications, contraindications, and alternatives to abdominal colectomy for slow transit constipation.
Recognize indications, contraindications, and alternatives to internal rectal prolapse repair for the treatment of obstructive defecation syndrome.
Apply their knowledge to real-life case scenarios.