ObjectiveTo investigate efficacy of total colectomy-ileorectal anastomosis (IRA) and subtotal colectomy-ileosigmoidal anastomosis (ISA) in treatment of patients with slow transit constipation (STC).MethodsThe clinical data of 45 patients with STC underwent operation from January 2008 to January 2015 were analyzed retrospectively. These patients were divided into an IRA group and ISA group according to the operation method, there were 23 cases in the IRA group and 22 cases in the ISA group. The operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospitalization, use of antidiarrheal drugs, and complications rate in both groups were compared. All the patients were followed up at the 3th, 6th, 12th, and 24th month after the operation, the defecation frequency, Wexner continence score, Wexner anal incontinence score, gastrointestinal quality of life index score, abdominal pain frequency score, and abdominal distension frequency score in two groups were evaluated.ResultsThere were no significantly statistical differences between the two groups in the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications rate (P>0.05). In the perioperative period, compared with the IRA group, the ISA group had a shorter postoperative hospitalization and a relatively lower proportion of antidiarrheal drugs, the differences were statistically significant between the two groups (P<0.05). On the postoperative 3th, 6th, and 12th month, the frequency of defecation in the IRA group was significantly higher than that in the ISA group (P<0.05). The Wexner continence score, Wexner anal incontinence score, gastrointestinal quality of life index score, abdominal pain frequency score, and abdominal distension frequency score had no statistical differences between the two groups (P>0.05).ConclusionsISA and IRA are safe and effective in treatment of STC, it might be selected according to patient’s conditions. On premise of strictly grasping indications, ISA has more obvious advantages.