Toward a definition of colonic inertia

Table 2 The various definitions of colonic inertia in literature

According to radiopaque transit studies:

- Delayed colonic transit with markers distributed throughout the colon;

- Colonic inertia equates to slow transit constipation;

- Delayed transit in the right colon;

- Delayed transit in the left colon, or both in the left and right colon;

- Delayed transit in the right and left colon, with normal transit in the sigmoid and rectum

According to scintigraphic transit studies:

- Scintigraphic delay in the transverse and splenic flexure;

- Scintigraphic delay in the cecum, ascending colon, hepatic flexure, and transverse colon;

- Scintigraphic delay in the whole colon

According to manometric and/or electromyographic findings:

- Almost complete or complete absence of colonic motility

Miscellaneous:

- Decreased colonic motility;

- Severe constipation and abdominal pain, abnormal transit study, normal anorectal manometry;

- Refractory constipation and motility abnormalities only of the lower gastrointestinal tract