Has anyone here had or considered the ACE procedure as a solution to colonic inertia?
Thanks to the moderators for creating this sub. By way of background, I have been a frequent poster on the r/constipation, r/constipationadvice and r/ibs subreddits. I am a 37 year old man who was diagnosed with colonic inertia at age 25 after several colonoscopies, two Sitzmarker studies, two rectal manometries and a defecogram. I had off and on constipation problems as a kid that became chronic (needing laxatives) by the time I was in my mid-teens. I failed both Sitzmark studies with all 24 markers remaining in my colon after 5 days,
I have consulted two colon and rectal surgeons about a subtotal colectomy but have yet to go through with it despite the fact that most laxatives no longer work for me. The second colon and rectal surgeon offered me a less invasive option known as the ACE or MACE procedure. The colon remains intact but the surgeons make a continent conduit from the abdominal wall into the cecum using either the appendix or a plastic tube. Then, on a regular basis, irrigating fluid is passed through the tube into the top of the colon. The fluid flushes the colon from the top down. Here is a link that gives a lot more detail:
There is a lot of literature out there documenting the successful use of this procedure in children, However, it is not used that often in adults. The colon and rectal surgeon who recommended it to me has had success with adults, but not on a scale that would allow him to publish a paper.
Has anyone considered this approach or actually gone forward with it? It does allow the colon to remain intact and is easily reversible if it doesn't work.