Background: Idiopathic slow-transit constipation may be a pangastrointestinal motility disorder. We have screened patients referred to surgery for constipation for the presence of biliary dyskinesia.
Method: Patients had cholecystokinin-augmented trimethyl-3-bromo iminodiacetic acid scans to measure gallbladder ejection fraction.
Results: There is a significant difference in gallbladder ejection fraction between patients with idiopathic slow-transit constipation (median value, 28.5) compared with patients with other causes of constipation (median value, 71; Mann-Whitney, P = 0.0025).
Conclusion: Idiopathic slow-transit constipation may be a pangastrointestinal motility disorder.