The magnitude and severity of neurogenic bowel dysfunction among patients with spinal cord injury has been documented in several studies Krogh K et al 1997. Patients present with one or more of a heterogeneous cluster of symptoms including constipation, faecal incontinence, abdominal pain and prolonged bowel management. The complex pathophysiology has been enlightened by studies of anorectal motility Krogh K et al 2002, gastrointestinal transit studies Faaborg et al 2011, neurophysiology Tankisi H et al 2015 and defecational scintigraphy Rasmussen MM et al 2013. Treatment of neurogenic bowel dysfunction follows a stepwise treatment algorithm Christensen P et al 2009. When conservative treatment fails, transanal irrigation has proven superior Christensen P 2006 although the effect might not be promising in long term treatment. Long-term efficacy and safety data will be provided by an Aarhus-based, international multicentre registry. Antegrade colonic irrigation through an appendicostomy (Malone's operation) is an effective alternative Worsø et al 2008. The potential of novel nerve modulation therapies such as the artificial somato-autonomic reflex arch Rasmussen MM et al 2015 and Sacral Anterior Root Stimulation Rasmussen MM et al 2015 have recently been explored. Ongoing research focuses on gastrointestinal motility studies and on development and refining of treatment strategies for the treatment options Worsøe et al 2012. The aim is to sustain the position of  AarhusUniversityHospital as a leading international competence centre for research in neurogenic bowel dysfunction.

Contacts:

Peter Christensen, Professor, Consultant Surgeon,  DMSci, PhD petchris@rm.dk
Klaus Krogh, Professor, Consultant, DMSci, PhD klaukrog@rm.dk
Mikkel Mylius Rasmussen, MD, PhD student, mikkrasm@rm.dk
Pia Møller Faaborg, MD, PhD, pmfaaborg@gmail.com
Jonas Worsøe, MD, PhD, jonas.worsoe@gmail.com
Helene Hougaard, MD, helenehougaard@hotmail.com