Normal Bowel Function Restored After Oxygen Therapy in Systemic Sclerosis and Colonic Inertia

LESLEY ANN SAKETKOO and LUIS R. ESPINOZA

ABSTRACT.

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. (First Release July 1 2007; J Rheumatol 2007; 34:1777-8)

Key Indexing Terms:

PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMIC SCLEROSIS
SCLERODERMA
BOWEL FUNCTION
OXYGEN THERAPY
CONSTIPATION
COLONIC INERTIA
COLECTOMY

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From the Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

L.A. Saketkoo, MD, MPH, Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Division of Rheumatology, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA; L.R. Espinoza, MD, Section of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center.

Address reprint requests to Dr. L.A. Saketkoo, 618 Robert Street, New Orleans, LA 70115. E-mail: saketkoo.md@gmail.com

Accepted for publication April 23, 2007.

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