PHD THESIS DANISH MEDICAL JOURNAL Faecal retention: A common cause in functional bowel disorders, appendicitis and haemorrhoids – with medical and surgical therapy Dennis Raahave quality of life and work (12,13). Currently, IBS is subdivided into This review has been accepted as a thesis together with seven original papers by University of Copenhagen 13th of june 2014 and defended on 6th of october 2014. IBS-C (constipation dominant), IBS-D (diarrhoea dominant), IBS-M Tutor: Randi Beier-Holgersen (mixed) and IBS-A (alternating), but does not have a clear aetiology. Official opponents: Steven D Wexner, Niels Qvist and Jacob Rosenberg. Constipation has many causes, including metabolic, endocrine, Correspondence: Department of Surgery, Colorectal Laboratory, Copenhagen University neurogenic, pharmacologic, mechanical, psychological, and idiopa - Nordsjællands Hospital, Dyrehavevej 29, 3400, Hilleroed, Denmark. thic, but only a few studies have focussed on the length of the colon E-mail:
[email protected] as a cause of constipation (14,15,16, 17). Both constipation and IBS sufferers constantly seek care because of persisting symptoms in Dan Med J 2015;62(3):B5031 spite of many investigative procedures and therapeutic efforts, incurring high health care costs (12). When physically examining such a patient, two observations are ARTICLES INCLUDED IN THE THESIS: evident. Frequently a soft mass in the right iliac fossa is palpated 1. Raahave D, Loud FB. Additional faecal reservoirs or hidden constipation: a link between functional and organic bowel disease. Dan Med Bull 2004;51:422-5. with tenderness (suspicious of a faecal reservoir in the right colon) 2. Raahave D, Christensen E, Loud FB, Knudsen LL.