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Description

A patient with fecal impaction may show a number of signs and symptoms.


 

Colon-related findings:

(1) constipation

(2) fecal incontinence

(3) rectal discomfort

(4) abdominal pain

(5) paradoxical diarrhea

(6) palpable abdominal mass (often as a tubular structure)

 

Other findings:

(1) anorexia

(2) nausea

(3) vomiting

(4) urinary frequency or overflow incontinence

 

Complications:

(1) bowel rupture with abdominal tenderness and peritoneal signs

(2) rectovaginal fistula

(3) obstructive uropathy

(4) vascular compression with lower limb ischemia

 


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