The usefulness of olive oil enema in children with severe chronic constipation
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Read the article on jpedsurg.org ↗Article · Mar 2021 · 1 min read
In brief
In brief
Retrospective study of 118 pediatric patients demonstrates olive oil enemas are effective for fecal disimpaction in 77.6% of children with severe chronic constipation, including those with functional constipation, Hirschsprung disease, and anorectal malformations. The treatment proved safe for home use and effective across different underlying disorders.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Purpose
Few reports have determined the efficacy of olive oil enemas for severe constipation. Here, we review our experience with olive oil enemas in children with severe chronic constipation.
Methods
In our outpatient pediatric surgery department, the charts of 118 patients prescribed with olive oil enemas between January 2010 and November 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. A 1–2 ml/kg olive oil enema was given either alone or followed several hours later by a glycerin enema. Ratings included "very effective (VE)," "effective (E)," "limited (L)," "ineffective (I)," and "unknown (U)."
Results
One hundred and fifteen (97.5%) patients were able to use olive oil enemas at home. Forty-nine had functional constipation; 43 had anorectal malformation; 40 had Hirschsprung disease; 12 had spina bifida; and 10 had other maladies.
Used as an enema, olive oil was effective in treating fecal impaction in 77.6% of patients; as a lubricant, it was effective in treating 76.9% of patients. Efficacy for fecal disimpaction was similar among patients with different underlying disorders.
Conclusion
Olive oil enemas are useful for more than three-quarters of children with severe chronic constipation. Further study is warranted to add olive oil enemas as an adjunctive treatment in the management of severe constipation.