Table 3 Study characteristics

Chan [13]

Prospective cohort study

III

Infrequent passage of stool +/− straining/ digitation/ incomplete emptying

i) → Improvement in Cleveland Constipation Score

ii) → Patient-reported satisfaction

Christensen [9]

Retrospective questionnaire survey and case note review

III

Idiopathic constipation including slow transit, obstructed defecation and ‘undetermined’

i) → Ongoing use

ii) → Resolved symptoms

iii) → Still using irrigation at time of death

Koch [14]

Prospective cohort study

III

<2 bowel motions per week, straining or incomplete evacuation >50 % motions in previous year

Resolution of incomplete emptying or straining symptoms

Cazemier [15]

Retrospective case series questionnaire survey

III

Constipation according to Rome II criteria

Patient-reported satisfaction

Gosselink [16]

Retrospective case series, questionnaire survey

III

Obstructed defecation based on; straining, incomplete evacuation, digitation, fullness, <3 motions/ week

Patient-reported satisfaction

Gardiner [18]

Case series; not stated if prospective or retrospective

III

Obstructive defecation and slow transit (?which criteria used)

Patient-reported satisfaction

Crawshaw [17]

Retrospective case note review and questionnaire survey

III

The inability to evacuate the rectum when desired (includes obstructed defecation and dyssynergic defecation)

10 mm increase on VAS (10 % improvement)