Doctors Removed 13kg of Feces From Man Constipated for 22 Years

Doctors removed a 30-inch long section of a man's colon filled with 13kg of feces during the three-hour-long surgery.Photo byAsiaWire.

In an extraordinary medical case, a 22-year-old man from China, suffering from chronic constipation since birth, had nearly 13 kilograms of feces surgically removed from his body in 2017. The patient’s condition had gone untreated for decades, leading to severe health complications.

The Underlying Cause: Hirschsprung's Disease

The man was diagnosed with Hirschsprung's disease, a rare congenital condition that affects the colon. This disorder occurs when nerve cells that control bowel movements are missing, causing difficulty in passing stool.

Without these nerve cells, the colon cannot push waste through the digestive system, leading to a dangerous buildup of fecal matter and the development of what is known as a "megacolon."

Years of Misdiagnosis and Delayed Treatment

Despite his lifelong struggle with constipation, the man’s condition remained untreated until adulthood. According to media reports, his parents had downplayed the severity of the issue, believing it to be a minor ailment.

As a result, the diagnosis of Hirschsprung's disease was delayed, allowing the condition to worsen over time.

By the time the man sought medical attention, his abdomen had become severely swollen, making him appear as though he were nine months pregnant.

Dr. Yin Lu, from Shanghai’s Tenth People’s Hospital, reported that the man had been taking laxatives for years, which only provided minimal relief. His situation had become so dire that immediate surgical intervention was required.

On June 8, doctors performed a three-hour surgery, during which they removed a 30-inch long section of the man's colon. This section was filled with 13 kilograms of feces, the result of decades of waste buildup due to his condition. The surgery was successful, and the patient is now recovering.

Importance of Early Diagnosis and Treatment

Doctors warned that without early intervention, Hirschsprung's disease can lead to severe complications, including sepsis—a life-threatening condition where toxins enter the bloodstream.

Dr. Lu advised parents to take symptoms of constipation in children seriously, stressing the importance of seeking medical attention early to prevent extreme cases like this one.

This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of untreated medical conditions. Hirschsprung's disease, though rare, can be managed with early diagnosis and treatment, preventing the life-threatening complications that can arise from chronic constipation.