Coprostasis

A fecal impaction or an impacted bowel is a solid, immobile bulk of feces that can develop in the rectum as a result of chronic constipation. Fecal impaction is a common result of neurogenic bowel dysfunction and causes immense discomfort and pain. Commonly affected populations include the elderly and chronically ill, especially those with neuropsychiatric diseases. It is estimated that 50% of elderly patients in geriatric wards and nursing homes suffer from fecal impaction in the course of a year. Treatment includes laxatives, enemas, and pulsed irrigation evacuation (PIE) as well as digital removal. It is not a condition that resolves without direct treatment.