Site Map

Fecal impaction

Impaction of the bowels; Constipation - impaction; Neurogenic bowel - impaction

A fecal impaction is a large lump of dry, hard stool that stays stuck in the rectum. It is most often seen in people who are constipated for a long time.

Images

Digestive system
Digestive system organs

I Would Like to Learn About:

Causes

Constipation is when you are not passing stool as often or as easily as is normal for you. Your stool becomes hard and dry. This makes it difficult to pass.

Fecal impaction often occurs in people who have had constipation for a long time and have been using laxatives. The problem is even more likely when the laxatives are suddenly stopped. The muscles of the intestines forget how to move stool or feces on their own.

You are at more risk for chronic constipation and fecal impaction if:

Certain drugs slow the passage of stool through the bowels:

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

Other possible symptoms include:

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will examine your stomach area and rectum. The rectal exam will show a hard mass of stool in the rectum.

You may need to have a colonoscopy if there has been a recent change in your bowel habits. This is done to check for colon or rectal cancer.

Treatment

Treatment for the condition starts with removal of the impacted stool. After that, steps are taken to prevent future fecal impactions.

A warm mineral oil enema is often used to soften and lubricate the stool. However, enemas alone are not enough to remove a large, hardened impaction in most cases.

The mass may have to be broken up by hand. This is called manual removal:

Surgery is rarely needed to treat a fecal impaction. An overly widened colon (megacolon) or complete blockage of the bowel may require emergency removal of the impaction.

Most people who have had a fecal impaction will need a bowel retraining program. Your provider and a specially trained nurse or therapist will:

Outlook (Prognosis)

With treatment, the outcome is good.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Tell your provider if you have chronic diarrhea or fecal incontinence after a long period of constipation. Also tell your provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

Related Information

Encopresis
Constipation in infants and children
Over-the-counter pain relievers
Necrosis
Constipation - self-care

References

Iturrino JC, Lembo AJ. Constipation. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 19.

Zainea GC. Management of fecal impaction. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 208.

BACK TO TOP

Review Date: 10/25/2021  

Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

ADAM Quality Logo
Health Content Provider
06/01/2025

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, for Health Content Provider (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is an independent audit to verify that A.D.A.M. follows rigorous standards of quality and accountability. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial policy, editorial process and privacy policy. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics. This site complied with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information from 1995 to 2022, after which HON (Health On the Net, a not-for-profit organization that promoted transparent and reliable health information online) was discontinued.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- 2024 A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.