Barium enema in chronic constipation: is it meaningful?

Seventeen pairs of pre- and postoperative barium enemas performed under fixed conditions (same preparation, filling technique, and radiographic factors) were selected from the records of a group of 62 chronically constipated patients who had undergone anorectal myectomy. Measurements at different levels of the large bowel and over-all subjective diagnosis were compared to those made in group of 26 controls. The barium enema did not aid in the diagnosis of constipation or its evolution after surgery.