RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Normal bowel function restored after oxygen therapy in systemic sclerosis and colonic inertia.
JF The Journal of Rheumatology
JO J Rheumatol
FD The Journal of Rheumatology
SP 1777
OP 1778
VO 34
IS 8
A1 Lesley Ann Saketkoo
A1 Luis R Espinoza
YR 2007
UL http://www.jrheum.org/content/34/8/1777.abstract
AB Colorectal involvement with obstructed defecation is a common complication of progressive systemic sclerosis (pSSc), compromising quality of life and placing patients at risk for life-threatening complications. Treatment for colonic inertia in these patients includes laxatives, prokinetics, and ultimately colectomy, which is associated with high morbidity and mortality in pSSc. We describe a woman with scleroderma and colonic inertia recommended for total abdominal colectomy. As a result of respiratory decompensation, she was placed on oxygen by nasal cannula, after which bowel motility with regularity was restored, obviating the need for colectomy.