A 40-year-old man from Nanjing, China, had not had a bowel movement for four months, and his abdomen was swollen like that of a woman in her tenth month of pregnancy. After visiting the hospital, doctors removed a 20-pound 'giant python' diseased intestine.
According to 'Yangtze Evening News', Mr. Fang, 40, suffers from adult congenital megacolon. This is a common abnormal neuronal development disorder in the intestines, characterized by the absence of ganglion cells in the distal colon and rectum. This prevents normal peristalsis, causing intestinal contents to accumulate and leading to severe dilation of the proximal colon and the gradual formation of megacolon.
As a result, Mr. Fang hadn't had a bowel movement for four months, causing his abdomen to rise like a pregnancy at full term. He admitted that over the past few months, he was unable to eat anything and could only drink water and soup, causing his weight to drop to just over 60 pounds. He urgently sought medical treatment at a hospital.
The diseased intestine was as thick as a thigh
Eventually, the hospital performed a surgical resection. Doctors stated, 'During the surgery, Mr. Fang's abdomen was completely filled with a dilated colon. The diseased intestine removed was as thick as a thigh, probably two to three meters long, and it took two doctors to lift it.' Mr. Fang felt 'a great sense of relief' post-surgery and is currently recovering well.
Doctors advise that patients with congenital megacolon must seek medical treatment promptly. 'At such a severe stage, the colon has already lost its function, and it keeps expanding as more accumulates, which cannot be resolved with any medication.'
It is worth noting that most congenital megacolon patients are children, and prolonged constipation in children can also cause colonic obstruction. Experts remind parents: pay close attention to your child's bowel movements, and if you notice constipation, be sure to seek medical attention promptly!