American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 202, Issue 5 , Pages 479.e1-479.e5, May 2010

The use of senna with docusate for postoperative constipation after pelvic reconstructive surgery: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Presented at the 30th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urogynecologic Society, Hollywood, FL, Sept. 24-26, 2009.

  • Minita Patel, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
    • Corresponding Author InformationReprints: Minita Patel, MD, 85 Seymour St., Suite 525, Hartford, CT 06106
    • ,
  • Megan O. Schimpf, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Urogynecology and Pelvic Reconstructive Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine and Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA
    • ,
  • David M. O'Sullivan, PhD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Research Administration, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT
    • ,
  • Christine A. LaSala, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Urogynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT

Received 10 July 2009; received in revised form 21 December 2009; accepted 4 January 2010. published online 08 March 2010.

Objective

The objective of the study was to compare time to first bowel movement (BM) after surgery in subjects randomized to placebo or senna with docusate.

Study Design

Ninety-six subjects completed a baseline 7-day bowel diary before and after surgery. After pelvic reconstructive surgery, the subjects were randomized to either placebo (n = 45) or senna (8.6 mg) with docusate (50 mg) (n = 48). Time to first BM and postoperative use of magnesium citrate were compared.

Results

There was a significant difference in the time to first BM in those receiving senna with docusate vs placebo (3.00 ± 1.50 vs 4.05 ± 1.50 days; P < .002). More subjects in the placebo group needed to use magnesium citrate to initiate a bowel movement (43.6% vs 7.0%; P < .001).

Conclusion

The use of senna with docusate decreases time to first BM in those undergoing pelvic reconstructive surgery compared with placebo. Subjects using senna with docusate are also significantly less likely to use magnesium citrate.

Key words: constipation, pelvic organ prolapse, senna with docusate

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 Cite this article as: Patel M, Schimpf MO, O'Sullivan DM, et al. The use of senna with docusate for postoperative constipation after pelvic reconstructive surgery: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010;202:479.e1-5.

 This study was supported in part by the Hartford Hospital Small Grant Initiative 123542.

PII: S0002-9378(10)00004-9

doi:10.1016/j.ajog.2010.01.003

American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology
Volume 202, Issue 5 , Pages 479.e1-479.e5, May 2010

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